"We'll come home stronger": "Proud" HMS Prince of Wales to return to Portsmouth after huge deployment - when

HMS Prince of Wales is due to return to HMNB Portsmouth on Sunday afternoon (November 30). Thousands of people are expected to line The Hot Walls, with families waiting to see their loved ones at the naval base.

The £3.2bn warship will be accompanied by two of her UK Carrier Strike Group (UKCSG) escorts, HMS Dauntless and HNoMS Roald Amundsen. Major milestones were completed throughout Operation Highmast. The last was HMS Prince of Wales being assigned to Nato and being declared as reaching Full Operational Capability during exercises in the Mediterranean.

Commodore James Blackmore, UKCSG Commander, said: “It has been a privilege to lead the nearly 4,000 soldiers, sailors, aviators, and marines who have sailed over 40,000 nautical miles as part of the Strike Group, working with over 30 nations en-route.

“Last week the Defence Secretary announced that the UK Carrier Strike Group had reached full operating capability. That is a testament to the hard work both on Operation Highmast and of those who have served before us to reach this milestone. The Strike Group has come home stronger for NATO than it departed and I am incredibly proud of all those who have taken part in Operation Highmast.”

HMS Prince of Wales left Portsmouth on April 22 to conduct the Indo-Pacific deployment. Operation Highmast saw the UKCSG complete extensive military drills in Japan, India, Australia, and elsewhere. Other vessels involved include HMS Richmond, that is returning to Plymouth, RFA Tideforce, RFA Tidespring, and other ships which temporarily joined at various stages.

HMS Richmond’s Executive Officer Lieutenant Commander James Callender, said he “could not be prouder” of his shipmates for all they had achieved. He added: “Whether it be supporting UN Security Council resolutions in the Yellow Sea or hosting dignitaries and VIPs for high level engagement, Richmond has continued to deliver in spades.

“We are now looking forward to the joy of homecoming and being reunited with the family and friends whose support has helped make this deployment possible.”

A total of ten nations supported the UKCSG deployment, including Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain and the USA. Aviators conducted several exercises with lightning fast F-35B fighter jets, as well as Merlin and Wildcat helicopters.

Since leaving the UK in April, the force has sailed more than 40,000 nautical miles – one and a half times around the world – with half the deployment spent east of Suez. The jets, helicopters, and drone/un-crewed aircraft have flown more than 2,500 sorties in support of the deployment which sought to demonstrate the UK’s commitment to global security with its allies.

One of the major highlights was visiting Australia, where the country’s largest military workout, Exercise Talisman Sabre, pushed personnel to their limits. HMS Prince of Wales also worked alongside other carriers, including USS George Washington and INS Vikrant. In all, the force has operated and exercised with nine different carrier groups, with its jets landing on four different aircraft carriers.

Commander Nick Smith led 809 Naval Air Squadron, nicknamed The Immortals, on its maiden deployment and said “the range and breadth of the activity the squadron have been part of is truly amazing”.

“I am incredibly proud of the Immortal Team who have done such a fantastic job in delivering everything asked of them throughout the year, but most importantly full operating capability of Carrier Strike,” he added. “We have operated day and night, in fair weather and torrential downpours, from HMS Prince of Wales as well as the Japanese and Italian ships Kaga and Cavour.

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“Our highlights include the many amazing places we have been lucky enough to visit, specifically Singapore, Australia, and Japan as well as participating in numerous large force exercises such as Talisman Sabre and Falcon Strike. Having successfully completed eight months away, we are all very much looking forward to getting home to our loved ones, families and friends. We are all incredibly excited to be home for Christmas and to take some well-earned leave, before regrouping in 2026 for another year of adventures.”

Ships have helped to enforce UN sanctions against North Korea, supported NATO security operations in the Mediterranean and promoted British interests and industry wherever they have visited. They also faced harassment from China after sailing through the South China Sea.

Petty Officer James Smith, one of HMS Richmond’s warfare specialist, has enjoyed the deployment on every level. “Professionally, Highmast has been fantastic and full of opportunity to test our skills in real life scenarios,” he said. “Personally, the chance to play golf all over the world has been a real highlight! I’m now very excited to get home and have a family holiday, and a proper Cornish pasty.”