Families reunited as warships return to Portsmouth
HMS Defender, HMS Diamond and HMS Queen Elizabeth are back following a seven-month deployment
Last updated 9th Dec 2021
Hundreds of families have enjoyed a pre-Christmas reunion with loved ones on board three Royal Navy warships as they returned to Portsmouth on Thursday (December 9th).
Type 45 destroyers HMS Defender and HMS Diamond left the city in May to join up with the UK Carrier Strike Group in the Far East.
They spent much of that time accompanying the HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier - which also returned to the city on Thursday, ahead of schedule.
The pair were deployed mostly to watch out for aerial threats, but also performed independent tasks such as Defender patrolling the Black Sea in June.
Commanding Officer of HMS Defender, Commander Vince Owen, said:
“Being a part of this deployment has been hugely exciting and professionally rewarding.
“HMS Defender has delivered all the tasking required throughout. This has included providing air and missile defence to the Strike Group; upholding the international-rules-based system, particularly during our period in the Black Sea; and promoting Global Britain by operating with our allies and partners and conducting numerous defence engagement events.
“Our exceptional success on this deployment is down to the superb men and women that make up my ship’s company and I am immensely proud of the dedication and professionalism they have shown throughout.
“We are also heavily reliant on the support of our families for which I am incredibly grateful and I am delighted that we are able to return home to them today in time for Christmas.”
Comminications and information systems specialist Callum Mountford was among many returning home from their first deployment on Thursday.
He said:
“It has opened my eyes and given me the chance to see some of the world, which is one of the reasons I joined the Navy in the first place.
“I’ve also learned a lot about what my job involves and have progressed to the next rate, so from both a personal and professional perspective the deployment has been great!
“I’m now looking forward to catching up with my family and friends and being home for Christmas.”
HMS Diamond was taken further than she has ever gone before during her deployment, including her first crossing of the Equator.
She also had a key mission in support of Operation Shader – operations against Daesh in the Middle East.
As well as warning of threats in the skies, the destroyer is also able to direct the operations of the carrier’s F-35 stealth fighters.
Alex Simpson is the youngest sailor aboard Diamond. The chef was just 17 when the destroyer sailed (and has since turned 18).
“I have really missed my family and I’m glad to be home for Christmas,” Alex said.
“This is my first job, and first deployment with the Navy. It has been a rollercoaster but we have experienced loads, and I will always remember the crossing the line ceremony, and visiting places like Egypt, Diego Garcia, and Oman.”
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