HMS Duncan sailed into HMNB Portsmouth on Sunday morning (December 8) and were greeted by a joyous crowd. Hundreds of people had gathered with banners and flags to greet their loved ones.
Blustery conditions and bitterly cold winds did not interrupt the proceedings, with members of the ship’s company rushing down the gangway to see their relatives - many with tears in their eyes. The Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer had been primarily stationed in the eastern Mediterranean since May.
She was originally billed to replace HMS Diamond in the Red Sea, tasked with protecting merchant ships from Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. HMS Duncan was then ordered to stay in the Mediterranean as regional tensions grew due to the Israel’s conflicts with Hamas and Hezbollah.
HMS Duncan sailed more than 36,000 nautical miles and operated with 21 allied warships during her deployment, while the ship’s flight deck has been abuzz with 400 landings. Wildcat helicopters carried out 89 sorties in a range of exercises.
The destroyer spent 3,000 hours – 125 days – of her six-month deployment at sea, working for the stability of the region alongside allies, including from Germany, France, Italy, Canada, Spain, Cyprus and the United States. She acted as main escort, providing world-class air defence – thanks to the Type 45’s powerful radars and Sea Viper missile system – to the USS Wasp task group as it carried out a mission to ensure regional stability.
HMS Duncan has been a regular fixture in the Mediterranean, spending six months there in 2023 - leading NATO’s premier security mission in the region. Some sailors spent 12 of the last 24 months at the sharp end on deployments. The outstanding work of the ship’s company was honoured with the destroyer trophy at the Fleet Efficiency Awards for the second year in a row. Here are a selection of pictures from the homecoming.

1. HMS Duncan Homecoming
Warrant Officer Daz Hemmings (54) reunited with his family at HMNB Portsmouth. | Mike Cooter (081224)

2. HMS Duncan Homecoming
Grandma Anne Palmer (75) reunited with Engineering Technician Ethan Palmer (19). | Mike Cooter (081224)

3. HMS Duncan Homecoming
Sub-Lieutenant Morgan O'Neill (29) reunited with his family at HMNB Portsmouth. | Mike Cooter

4. HMS Duncan Homecoming
Charlie Henderson (18) - the youngest member of the HMS Duncan crew - with family at HMNB Portsmouth. | Mike Cooter (081224)