'Monumental effort': HMS Dragon sailors look back on 'rushed' Middle East deployment on Portsmouth return

Proud Royal Navy sailors were finally reunited with their families after being deployed during the Iran war.

Colourful banners and loud cheers greeted HMS Dragon’s ship’s company as they sailed to HMNB Portsmouth this morning (October 9). Personnel rushed ashore to leap into the arms of their loved ones.

Engineering Technician James ‘Jim’ Outen was greeted warmly by his parents and relatives who had travelled all the way from Lincoln. The 19-year-old told The News: “It’s amazing to see Portsmouth again after seven months. It was a rush leaving and not like the usual deployment. It’s nice to be back with the fresh air that we haven’t been used to.

“The ship’s company dealt with the rush very well. The week leading up to it was very busy, but the ship’s company did a good job. It was fulfilling to do that.”

Tireless personnel completed six weeks worth of work in six days to deploy the Type 45 destroyer, fully supplying her with ammunition and equipment. She had previously been earmarked to head up Nato’s Standing Maritime Group One, but plans changed as the Iran conflict escalated.

ET Outen, who followed in his father’s footsteps to serve in the Royal Navy, said: “Despite the constant changes, it was all under control and we had a plan from the start. Even when things changed, we had a picture of what was going on. It was all good from our perspective.

“This is my first deployment and I’ve learnt a lot. It was a great experience. Homecomings like this, and working while travelling the world, makes it all worth it.”

HMS Dragon’s departure to the eastern Mediterranean caused controversy at the time, given she arrived there more than a fortnight after a British base was attacked by a drone. Leading Hand Harry Evans said the wonderful reception the personnel received when they stepped ashore made the hard work all worth it, as the ship’s company were able to block out the noise and get on with their service.

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“It was a very spontaneous deployment,” the Marine Engineer said. “I was on a course at the time, and got the phone call to say we were activated. It was a big shock and we didn’t see it coming at all. We were in dry dock and the ship was essentially on stilts.

“We were working around the clock, 8am until 10pm at night. It was a monumental effort. All the engineers preparing the ship for war at the time. It was a memorable deployment and I’m never going to forget it.”

HMS Dragon was originally deployed from HMNB Portsmouth on March 10. Earlier that month, RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus was hit by a Shahed style kamikaze drone. It was believed to have been fired by a pro-Iranian militia in Iraq.

Bombing raids were conducted by the US-Israeli coalition, with Tehran retaliating and causing chaos across the Middle East. The Daring-class warship was initially sent to protect British air space. Intense training serials followed to prepare the ship’s company for any scenario.

HMS Dragon then proceeded through the Red Sea and into the Middle East for various workup drills. One of these involved joining forces with the huge French aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle. The situation in the region is still uncertain, as repeated peace talks between the US and Iran failed to reach any meaningful outcomes.

For the roughly 300-strong ship’s company, the sight of seeing their loved ones was a joy to behold. Hundreds of people were waiting patiently on the naval base jetty to see their loved ones. Meghann and Adam Savage were among them, excited to see their son, 18-year-old AB2 Lucas Savage.

Meghann said: “We’re so excited to see him after so long, and we have a huge party planned. He hasn’t looked back since joining the Royal Navy. I’m very proud of him and he’s done so well.”

Adam added: “He’s had the absolute time of his life. He’s experienced so many things, being out on a helicopter and firing live ammunition. It’s absolutely fantastic. It’s something he’s always wanted to do and joined when he was 17. I’m the only generation to miss joining the forces, so he’s carried on the family tradition.”

After stepping ashore, Lucas said: “I was only onboard for two months, but the buzz as the ship as she returned was brilliant. It was my first homecoming, so it was really nice to see the excitement from everyone.

“People couldn’t sleep. The more everyone spoke about it, the more it made me realise how big of a day it was. It was great to get that on board experience and learn on the job.”

Lucas was also serving alongside his best friend Blake. The Portsmouth sailor said: “The homecoming shows how important the navy is to the city. It’s my city and I love it here. After going to my brother’s wedding, I can’t wait to get out on deployment again.”

Leading Hand Charlie Gill embraced his two-year-old cousin Finlay, whose life he saved by donating part of his liver. He said it was difficult being away from his family and not knowing when he would return home.

“It made the deployment feel longer,” the Littlehampton native said. We never knew what we were doing next and what we were going to get tasked with. We all stuck together, that made it a lot easier. Everyone knew what it was for, and everyone knew what their job was. We got together and got it done.”

Abi Radford, of Milton Keynes, waved her SpongeBob style sign as she saw her boyfriend, AB2 Aaron North, aboard ship. “He’s been away for such a long time, 214 days,” she said. “Not knowing when I could see him was worrying.

“It’s something you get used to though and I think his service is brilliant. They’ve all worked so hard and achieved so much.”