HMS Duncan becomes last Royal Navy warship to return home in time for Christmas
HMS Duncan has become the final Royal Navy warship to return to the UK in time for Christmas, with hundreds of people welcoming home her crew.
More than 700 friends and family members waited on the jetty at Portsmouth Naval Base as the Type 45 air defence destroyer returned after her deployment to the eastern Mediterranean.
Commander Ben Martin, the ship's commanding officer, paid tribute to his crew and friends and families for their continued support.
"It has been invaluable as Duncan delivered on operations despite the challenges and uncertainty we faced," he said.
"I am proud of Duncan's sailors who always delivered the highest of standards, and we look forward to being reunited with families and being home for Christmas."
The Type 45 destroyer had been based in the eastern Mediterranean for the past six months, leading a Nato task group in the region in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
"As the flagship we undertook the significant responsibility of carrying the Nato commander and his staff, responsible for Nato's contribution to maritime security in the Mediterranean region," Cdr Martin said.
"Whilst this brought with it its own set of challenges, Duncan’s sailors have risen to them with nothing less than their characteristic professionalism and can-do attitude.
"This work was vital to the work of Nato which, at present, is heavily engaged in reassuring our friends and allies overseas in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the recent Israel-Hamas crisis."
HMS Duncan, which won the Royal Navy Destroyer of the Year trophy, sailed more than 35,000 miles and spent 270 days deployed during its operations through the year, in which she led 19 different warships from nine alliance nations.
The ship will now prepare for her future operations in 2024.
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