29 November 2025
Topic:
Operational activityInternational partnership
Britain’s premier naval deployment of 2025 ends this weekend as the ships, jets and helicopters of the UK Carrier Strike Group returns home.
Families and well-wishers are expected to gather at air and naval bases from the Lizard Peninsula to Norfolk to greet more than 2,000 military personnel – sailors, soldiers, aviators, Royal Marines, and civilians – back from their eight-month mission to the Indo-Pacific.
The Strike Group has been led by the nation’s flagship HMS Prince of Wales, which sails into Portsmouth on Sunday afternoon accompanied by two of her escorts: destroyer HMS Dauntless and Norwegian frigate HNoMS Roald Amundsen.
A third escort, frigate HMS Richmond, is returning to Plymouth, while the force’s aircraft have already flown – or are flying – home to their respective air bases: F-35B Lightning stealth fighters to RAF Marham in Norfolk, Merlin helicopters to RNAS Culdrose near Helston and RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset, and Wildcat helicopters to Yeovilton as well.
Tanker RFA Tideforce, which supported the final month of the deployment, is returning to Portland, while her sister ship RFA Tidespring, which provided fuel for the force through three-quarters of the Highmast mission, remains deployed. In addition, Norway’s HNoMS Maud performed tanker duties during the opening weeks.
The arrivals bring to an end the UK Carrier Strike Group’s 2025 mission, codenamed Operation Highmast, which took the force as far east as Japan and Australia.
The strike group returns having been declared fully operational – and ready to assume NATO duties.
“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,” said Commodore James Blackmore, Commander UK Carrier Strike Group.
“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.”
Led by HMS Prince of Wales, the Carrier Strike Group has comprised a core defensive ring of steel, provided by HMS Dauntless (air defence), HMS Richmond and HNoMS Roald Amundsen (anti-submarine and surface defence).
HMS Richmond’s Executive Officer Lieutenant Commander James Callender, said he “could not be prouder” of his shipmates for all they had achieved.
“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.”
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
Commodore James Blackmore
Throughout, warships and support vessels from ten nations – Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain and the USA – have integrated themselves with the task group.
Fifth-generation F-35B Lightning strike fighters of RAF 617 Squadron (The Dambusters) and the Royal Navy’s 809 Naval Air Squadron have provided the fast jet firepower, with up to 26 jets embarked at points.
They have been supported by Merlin and Wildcat helicopters from 814, 815, 820, and 845 Naval Air Squadrons, plus drones from 700X which have been pushing the boundaries of uncrewed air operations, in particular transferring supplies between ships in the group.
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/uncrewed 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.
Highmast took the Task Group to northern Australia for the country’s largest military workout, Exercise Talisman Sabre, followed by a similarly-complex and large-scale exercise with the US and Japanese maritime forces..
In all the force has operated/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”.
He continued: “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.
“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.
“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.
At its peak, Highmast involved more than 4,000 UK military personnel, either sailing with the task group or deployed in support of it and specific exercises.
Personnel have been able to enjoy some unforgettable experiences and opportunities: climbing Mount Fiji in Japan, encountering crocodiles in northern Australia, a string of international cookery contests, sporting fixtures, and visits to some of the world’s great cities including Tokyo, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Manila, Mumbai.
There have been celebrations – the traditional naval ceremonies of Crossing the Line (Equator) and Trafalgar Night – while HMS Prince of Wales’ rock band were invited to play their debut public gig at Singapore’s Hard Rock Café.
And there have solemn moments with commemorations at military cemeteries and sacred sites throughout the deployment, including a service of remembrance for the crew of the previous HMS Prince of Wales over the wreck site in the South China Sea – the first time today’s ship has visited.
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.”
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