Thousands welcome home warship

AIRCRAFT CARRIER'S DEVON COMMANDING OFFICER SAID 'IT'S GREAT TO BE BACK

- HERALD REPORTER

THE Devon commanding officer of Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales said "it's great to be back" as the warship returned from a three-month deployment to the US.

Families and friends had lined the jetty to welcome home loved ones aboard the £3 billion aircraft carrier which carried out flight trials with the US Marine Corps and F-35B stealth fighter jets.

The warship returned to Portsmouth Naval Base where about 2,600 people assembled, many waving flags and holding banners, to welcome the crew home.

The ship's commanding officer, Captain Richard Hewitt, from Kingsbridge, Devon, was met by his wife Clara and sons Ben, two, William, eight, and Oliver, 10.

Mrs Hewitt said: "All of the families have missed them and we are really proud of all that they have achieved. We all worked hard in the UK to get them away." Oliver said: "I'm happy, emotional and proud." While William added: "It's really inspirational." Capt Hewitt said: "It's great to be back after a hugely successful deployment.