Cornwall Navy personnel reunited with families in time for Christmas
RNAS Culdrose' 820 squadron have been at sea for seven months on HMS Queen Elizabeth
Last updated 8th Dec 2021
Families have gathered at RNAS Culdrose to welcome home their loved ones just in time for Christmas.
Around 60 aircrew and engineers from 820 Squadron have been reunited after seven months at sea.
More than 200 men and women have been on board the Royal Navy's flagship aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, in the far east.
Dozens, along with their Merlin MK2 helicopters, returned to the Helston base on Wednesday 8th December for some much-appreciated hugs!
"I'm going to cuddle him - I love him"
Four-year-old Logan, pictured above with his mum, dad and siblings after the family reunion, told us he could not wait to cuddle his daddy, adding "I love him".
Our reporter Megan Price asked Logan what the first thing he was planning on saying to his dad would be, to which he replied "can you do press-ups?"
Jack was another youngster reunited with his dad on Wednesday and was very excited to tell us the family's plans for Christmas.
He said: "I'm very excited for my daddy to come home because he's been away for seven months. I don't like it when he's away. I'm going to give him a big hug and cling onto him".
The Carrier Strike Group 2021 has included nine ships from various allied countries, one submarine, 32 aircraft and more than 3,700 personnel.
The deployment has been a significant milestone in establishing the UK's global capability to operate F35 jets as part of the UK's conventional deterrent.
It has also served as an ideal opportunity for the UK to work alongside its NATO allies and partners, with visits, air exercises and operations.
The group has worked alongside ships from Canada, Denmark, France, India, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand South Korea and the US.
The commanding officer of 820 Naval Air Squadron, Commander Ian Varley, was among the returning personnel and said: "We've been away from home for more than half a year and it is wonderful to be back at our Culdrose base again".
Commander Varley added: "Taking part in a deployment like this, in terms of its significant scale and global reach, has been a great opportunity for all my personnel.
"It's been a memory-forming deployment as we have lived and worked on the fleet flagship, contributing to the Royal Navy's firm expression that carrier strike is back in business.
"We have also enjoyed the chance to work with the rest of the strike group ships, sharing experiences with Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army, Air Force, Netherlands Navy and United States Navy and Marine Corps personnel as we deployed to the Pacific Ocean.
"I am deeply honoured to have led the men and women under my command during this historic deployment and I know they will all be looking forward to some well-earned leave with their loved ones over Christmas".
Also taking part in the deployment were more than 40 sailors from RNAS Culdrose's 1700 Naval Air Squadron, who have served on the Royal Fleet Auxiliary support ships Fort Victoria, Tidesurge and Tidespring, the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, in addition to providing supporting roles on HMS Defender, Diamond, Richmond and Kent.
The squadron's personnel include aviation officers, aircraft handlers, weapons engineers, air engineers, medics, logistical personnel and other support personnel.
The commanding officer of 1700 Naval Air Squadron, Lieutenant Commander Maxine Burgess, said: "Personnel from 1700 NAS have been heavily involved in this deployment, serving on the carrier itself and her support ships, and working alongside our Royal Fleet Auxiliary colleagues.
"I am very proud of all those personnel deployed, and also the team that support them, to ensure this deployment has been a success.
"This has been one of the largest concentrations of naval power in a decade and my personnel have worked alongside navies around the world. It's been a great achievement for all involved".