HMS Prince of Wales arrived at Naples, having transited the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean

CSG25

Take a break: CSG25 personnel find themselves sittin' on the dock of the bay of Naples

HMS Prince of Wales arrived at Naples, having transited the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean

Having transited through the Suez Canal, the ships of Carrier Strike Group 25 (CSG25) anchored off the coast of Naples for a quick respite, as they near the end of their eight-month-long deployment under Operation Highmast.

The port call follows the conclusion of Exercise Falcon Strike, which saw the Royal Air Force's F-35B Lightning jets take part in a series of combat drills from airbases around Italy.

During her visit to Naples, HMS Prince of Wales welcomed Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, Defence Secretary John Healey, and British Ambassador to Italy, Lord Edward Llewellyn. The officials met the command staff and toured the flagship to speak to personnel.

The vessels had previously made a port call at Souda Bay, on the northwest coast of the Greek island of Crete, where Captain Ben Power assumed command of the flagship from Captain Will Blackett.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Defence Secretary John Healey inspected a guard of honour on the flight deck — Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Defence Secretary John Healey inspected a guard of honour during a visit to HMS Prince of Wales (Picture: MOD)

The visit came as part of wider engagement on defence readiness and international security partnerships (Picture: MOD)

The pair walked the flight deck as the ship anchored off the coast of Naples, Italy (Picture: MOD)

They were joined by Commodore James Blackmore (left), British Ambassador to Italy, Lord Edward Llewellyn and Captain Ben Power (Picture: MOD)

Ms Cooper is shown the ropes during a visit to the operations room (Picture: MOD)

Mr Healey spoke to Royal Navy personnel aboard the flagship — Mr Healey took the opportunity to speak to Royal Navy personnel aboard the flagship (Picture: MOD)

The visit included briefings on Operational Highmast, discussions with the Command Staff as well as tours of HMS Prince of Wales to meet personnel — The visit included briefings on Operation Highmast, discussions with the command staff, as well as tours of HMS Prince of Wales to meet personnel (Picture: MOD)

Over the course of the deployment, upwards of 4,500 British military personnel have been involved (Picture: MOD)

The aircraft carrier almost operates 24 F-35 jets, the largest number ever assembled — The aircraft carrier also operates 24 F-35 jets, the largest number ever assembled on a British carrier (Picture: MOD)

As she sailed on towards Naples, HMS Richmond split off east for a port call in Porto Romano, Albania, where her crew hosted defence discussions and a formal reception in honour of Dame Karen Pierce, British Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, and British Ambassador to Albania, Nicholas Abbott.

She then sailed on to the port of Palma for a courtesy visit ahead of her journey home.

As HMS Prince of Wales journeyed on, RFA Tideforce separated for a stopover at Augusta, on the eastern coast of Sicily.

During Ex Falcon Strike, she played an essential role in providing replenishment at sea services, delivering fuel, water and other supplies to aircraft and warships involved in the exercise.

Familiar soil

Under Operation Highmast, CSG25 has reaffirmed the UK's commitment to its security of the Mediterranean and Indo-Pacific region.

After eight months at sea, involving upwards of 4,500 British military personnel from the RAF, Royal Navy, and Royal Marines, the deployment will conclude in December – just in time for Christmas.