Sailors aboard HMS Duncan have been reunited with their families just before Christmas after completing a six-month mission in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Type 45 destroyer, based in Portsmouth, returned home having navigated over 36,000 nautical miles during operations that involved air defense and collaboration with 21 partner warships.
Sailors aboard HMS Duncan have been reunited with their families just before Christmas after completing a six-month mission in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The Type 45 destroyer, based in Portsmouth, returned home having navigated over 36,000 nautical miles during operations that involved air defense and collaboration with 21 partner warships.
The ship’s mission entailed providing security for the USS Wasp task group and addressing rising tensions in the area due to the conflicts involving Israel-Hamas and Israel-Hezbollah.
“After another lengthy deployment with HMS Duncan, I must express my profound appreciation for the friends and family I have waiting for me,” noted Engineering Technician Bradley Jones.
“No description can truly capture the experience of being deployed. I encountered moments of self-doubt, frustration, and fear, yet these feelings were often accompanied by love, laughter, and hope.”
This deployment was characterized by extensive operations, comprising 3,000 hours at sea, 400 flight deck landings, and 89 sorties by Duncan’s Wildcat helicopter.
It also featured considerable collaboration with NATO partners, which many crew members regarded as a significant aspect of their experience.
“Working with allied nations across NATO was a standout opportunity. The exchanges we conducted provided a fascinating glimpse into the lifestyles of other navies,” said Able Rating (Above Water Warfare) David Jackson.
“The unique experiences and strong camaraderie within our Ship’s Company helped us navigate the challenging times and emerge stronger by the end.”
The crew of HMS Duncan exhibited remarkable resilience throughout their extended deployment, with some having been away from home for 12 of the past 24 months.
Leading Hand Andrew Lynch, who was part of the ship’s logistics team, reflected on the connections forged during their time at sea:
“I look around. The faces of those who have become my new family. The laughter that fills the mess, the shared hardships that have united us in this demanding environment. The friendships created not through mere proximity, but from necessity and tenacity.
“When I finally return home, reunited with those I’ve missed so deeply, I will carry a piece of this journey with me. The friends I’ve made during this deployment, the insights I’ve gained, the moments of quiet strength when I thought I could not continue – these will be integral to who I am, who I’ve become.”
Throughout the mission, HMS Duncan worked alongside vessels from Germany, France, Italy, Canada, Spain, Cyprus, and the United States. The destroyer also made port visits in Malta and Barcelona while returning to Portsmouth.
In acknowledgment of its outstanding performance, HMS Duncan received the Destroyer Trophy at the Fleet Efficiency Awards for the second year in a row.
“As we return home following a demanding six-month deployment, I could not be more proud of my ship’s company and all that they have accomplished,” stated Commanding Officer Commander Dan Lee.
“As we arrive home just in time for Christmas, with my team recognized as the top destroyer in the fleet, they should take rightful pride in all that they’ve achieved.”
