HMS Cornwall's final homecoming
A History and Honour news article27 Apr 11
HMS Cornwall returned to HM Naval Base Devonport in Plymouth for the final time yesterday, following a six-month deployment conducting counter-piracy operations east of Suez.
HMS Cornwall at Devonport
[Picture: Leading Airman (Photographer) Dan Hooper, Crown Copyright/MOD 2011]HMS Cornwall deployed from the UK on 28 October last year to patrol the Gulf of Aden as the command ship for CTF 151 - the Counter-Piracy Task Force of a multi-national naval partnership.
The partnership promotes security, stability and prosperity across 2.5 million square miles (6.5m sq km) of international waters in the Middle East, including some of the world's most important shipping lanes which are vital for the UK's trade.
Commander David Wilkinson, the ship's commanding officer, praised his crew as they returned home yesterday:
"They have been utterly professional in all that has been asked of them, but today is about reunion with our loved ones and recognising the support they have given us to keep us strong over the past six months."
The ship's final entry was marked by a fly-past of the ship's helicopter and a gun salute from one of the ship's guns as she passed Plymouth Hoe.
Families and friends of HMS Cornwall's company congregate en masse in the Plymouth sunshine to welcome home their loved ones
[Picture: Leading Airman (Photographer) Shaun Barlow, Crown Copyright/MOD 2011]
HMS Cornwall is one of four Plymouth-based Type 22 frigates which are being decommissioned under the Government's strategic defence and security review.
Commander Wilkinson added:
"The final homecoming is a day of mixed emotions -- happiness to be returning home at the end of a successful deployment and being reunited with our families, yet also sadness to be bringing this proud ship home to her base port for the final time...
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