With HMS Prince of Wales home in Portsmouth, junior members of her ship’s company have looked back on a three-month deployment that took in encounters with Russian aircraft, first deployments and long weeks away.
Junior members of HMS Prince of Wales’ ship’s company have reflected on their three-month deployment following the carrier’s return to Portsmouth, the Royal Navy stated.
The flagship was away on the first stage of Operation Firecrest, focused on operations and exercises in the Atlantic and Arctic to safeguard NATO’s Northern Flank. The deployment resumes in the autumn. The UK Carrier Strike Group also included the destroyer HMS Duncan and the tanker RFA Tidespring, and drew on a wide range of specialists aboard, from marine and aircraft engineers to meteorologists, information warfare experts, chefs, logisticians, gunners and seamen.
For some it was a first deployment, among them warfare specialist Able Seaman Allcock, who qualified as an Able Seaman 1st Class while away. He was quoted as saying: “The Bear interaction with Russia was super cool because it really felt like what we’ve been doing is important.” He added: “I thought the food was great! Chinese was a personal fave. It’s been really nice vibes down in my mess, doing karaoke, chilling and quizzes in our down time. The friendships I’ve formed in my mess have been a real highlight.”
Much of the imagery released over the three months was captured by Leading Photographer Seymour, a former Royal Marine, alongside colleagues from the Royal Navy and RAF. He was quoted as saying: “Having come from another service I really wasn’t sure what to expect from the maritime life. I was surprised by the warmth I’ve received from my peers and from my management.” He added: “It has been delightful to see many different professional elements integrate together on such a large platform, delivering truly complex activity. As a photographer onboard it has been a privilege to be part of the team who got to tell the story.”
The junior rates of 5D Mess reflected on bonding over the course of the deployment. One was quoted as saying: “This time being away has to be honest been very tough at times, the constant change has been difficult but it has also really brought us a ship’s company together.” She added: “It really is the people around you who get you through the hard times. We’re really proud of the perseverance which I think we’ve shown to deal with setbacks and keep our heads up. It has been a great training opportunity, and we’ve been good at checking in with each other, we’ve got each other’s backs, and as a ship’s company we’ve all really moulded more as a team.”
