Home for Christmas! Warship is back in port

HUNDREDS of family and friends braved the rain to welcome crews aboard the HMS Richmond home to Plymouth as the warship completed its epic eight-month mission.

- By ABIGAIL NEEP

Family and friends welcoming home the ship's crew at Devonport ABIGAIL NEEP

Since April, 200 sailors, aviators and Royal Marines Commandos have been away playing an integral role in the Royal Navy's premier deployment of 2025, Operation Highmast.

Richmond was part of the defensive ring of steel protecting the UK's flagship, HMS Prince of Wales, as she led her Carrier Strike Group to the Western Pacific Rim.

The frigate was assigned to the force to provide protection against the prying eyes of hostile submarines and surface vessels.

Crews upon the ship visited South Korea, Vietnam, Manila in the Philippines and Mumbai in India, in addition to taking part in major exercises in the Mediterranean, off northern Australia and Japan.