There was an early Christmas drop off for Culdrose families anxiously awaiting the return of loved ones yesterday.

New aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth passed Cornwall on her way to Portsmouth and was able to let off more than 100 of Helston's 820 Squadron's personnel, who flew back into the arms of their families in time for Christmas.

The squadron has been at sea since August, as part of HMS Queen Elizabeth's first ever deployment, providing search and rescue during the F-35 flight trials the ship has been conducting.

 

A sign welcoming daddy home. Photo: RNAS Culdrose

Other roles have included force protection both above and below the sea surface, personnel transfers between HMS Queen Elizabeth and ashore and cargo delivery.

The squadron’s commanding office Commander Chris Knowles said: “It’s been truly remarkable to be part of this historic first deployment for HMS Queen Elizabeth. As the carrier's dedicated squadron we have been there from the very first landing off Scotland right up to the highlights we will all take home from this deployment; seeing the flight deck full of Merlins, F-35 jets and US visitors including V-22s has shown just what a potent capability we have.

A boy learns his dad is coming home for Christmas

"It’s fantastic to be getting home but we are already looking forward to next year, taking our capability further again and delivering even more for HMS Queen Elizabeth."

All the squadron’s personnel are now looking forward to some leave and are particularly pleased they made it back in time to spend Christmas at home with their families.

 

For some, though, they are about to get even busier – AET Adam Workman is getting married and moving house just before Christmas and then having a baby just after.

Of the deployment, he said: “It’s been an amazing experience to be one of the first to work on the Queen Elizabeth. Difficult at times, and it’s never nice being away from home, but I think it might have been easier at sea compared to my next few weeks!”

Members of 820 Squadron will return in the New Year to continue their work with HMS Queen Elizabeth throughout 2019.

 

It's been four months since families last saw each other. Photo: RNAS Culdrose

 

The squadron was able to disembark as HMS Queen Elizabeth passed by Cornwall. Photo: RNAS Culdrose