HMS Northumberland making her way home to HMNB Devonport to be greeted by their families — HMS Northumberland returned to the UK after sailing almost the distance around the world (Picture: MOD).

Navy

HMS Northumberland returns to Plymouth after North Atlantic deployment

Royal Navy frigate HMS Northumberland has returned to the UK after more than six months at sea.

The ship has operated across the Arctic, Baltic and North Atlantic, sailing nearly the distance around the world – racking up 23,043 miles at sea since the start of the year.

This ship has been locating Russian units and protecting UK waters, as well as operating with Nato allies on submarine-hunting exercises in the North Atlantic.

The deployment also saw the frigate operate with the world's largest warship, the US' aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford, in the Arctic Circle.

Families of HMS Northumberland greet their loved ones on the jetty at HMNB Devonport — The loved ones of HMS Northumberland's crew were waiting for their arrival back in Plymouth (Picture: MOD).

Commander Will Edwards-Bannon, HMS Northumberland's Commanding Officer, said he was "profoundly impressed by the selfless commitment and tactical excellence" of the ship's company.

"Everyone on board can look back on this successful deployment with pride in our collective achievements: from, once again, leading task group operations in the Arctic Circle alongside close allies, to marking the coronation of His Majesty The King while we were in Iceland," he said.

"I am hugely grateful for the support of all our friends and families who enable us to do our important work for the nation and it is a great pleasure to see so many of them here to welcome Northumberland and her fantastic ship's company home today."

HMS Northumberland spent 75% of her deployment on concerted operations, but also visited Denmark, Iceland, and Norway in between tasking.

Watch: USS Gerald R Ford – behind the scenes on world's biggest warship.

In the waters between Norway, the Faroe Islands and Iceland, the ship took part in Exercise Dynamic Mongoose, Nato's premier cold water anti-submarine warfare exercise.

The frigate then followed that up by tracking Russian warships, Vice-Admiral Kulakov and Admiral Levchenko, as they sailed in waters close to the UK.

In Reykjavik, Iceland, HMS Northumberland marked King Charles' coronation by hosting sailors from allied warships for a flight deck 'street party' as well as supporting efforts at the British embassy.

Petty Officer Vucago 'Vinny' Bainitabua, said he was "proud to look back and when people ask: 'where were you for the King's coronation?' I can say: 'I was deployed on operations with HMS Northumberland in Reykjavik, hosting our NATO allies'. It's definitely one to remember".

HMS Northumberland then joined Type 45 destroyer HMS Defender and tanker RFA Tideforce joined the US Navy's Carrier Strike Group 12.

Next up, the ship led an allied task group in the High North and was joined by Tideforce, Norwegian frigate HNoMS Otto Sverdrup and United States Navy destroyer USS Thomas Hudner.

During the deployment, the ship's crew of 200 ate 82,500 meals – including exactly 40,320 sausages and roughly 8,000 eggs.