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She sailed alongside HMS Prince of Wales as part of Operation Highmast. The eight-month operation covered 26,000 nautical miles, and saw sailors complete drills in Australia, Japan, India, South Korea and elsewhere. A number of diplomatic visits were carried out with major defence agreements signed in some cases.
HMS Dauntless played a vital air defence roles for the UK Carrier Strike Group (UKCSG), protecting HMS Prince of Wales and other warships from threats in the sky. She sailed past The Round Tower in Old Portsmouth at roughly 8am this morning.
Crowds proudly waved their flags and family banners for their loved ones. The warship originally left Portsmouth on April 22, alongside HMS Prince of Wales. She is scheduled to make her glorious return at around 12.30pm.
See pictures of families and the warship below. Keep up to date with today’s homecoming by following our live blog.
1. HMS Dauntless returns home
Anne-Marie Garvie and her daughters, Grace, 7, left, and Annabelle, 5, will be welcoming home the children’s daddy, on board HMS Dauntless | Chris Moorhouse (301125-02)
2. HMS Dauntless returns home
Homecoming of Daring class destroyer HMS Dauntless from the Round Tower, Portsmouth | Chris Moorhouse (301125-08)
3. HMS Dauntless returns home
Homecoming of Daring class destroyer HMS Dauntless from the Round Tower, Portsmouth | Chris Moorhouse (301125-09)
4. HMS Dauntless returns home
Jonathan and Adele Davison of Blackburn arrive early to see HMS Dauntless - and will be welcoming home their son later in the day who is aboard HMS Prince of Wales | Chris Moorhouse (301125-03)