HMS Prince of Wales arrives in Portsmouth before major deployment
HMS Prince of Wales has returned home to Portsmouth after her work-up phase preparations.
The Royal Navy's flagship was welcomed back by the crew's families and well-wishers.
The warship's crew participated in the work-up phase of her preparation for just a few weeks ahead of its next big milestone deployment.
During the work-up phase, the crew get ready for their deployment and improve their operational readiness.
BFBS Forces News spoke to people about the homecoming of the £3.5bn aircraft carrier.
"It’s an incredible sight seeing them [HMS Prince of Wales] come in and out," one person said.
"And think of all the people on them and the people that got them on the water to get them going wherever they’re going, and what they go through when they're gone and when they come back.
"I just love to give them a wave in and out and be part of it, really."
The warship, which has a 280m-long flight deck, will lead a task force of ships, including from allied nations like Norway, on the Carrier Strike Group 25 deployment, in just a few weeks.
A Carrier Strike Group involves an aircraft carrier, like HMS Prince of Wales, and includes warships, support vessels, and jets that demonstrate a versatile force able to conduct operations.
The flotilla will head to the Indo-Pacific region and will be away for months.
The 65,000-tonne aircraft carrier will be projecting the Royal Navy's power and intent of Great Britain thousands of miles away from home.
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