Posted on 05/17/2003 8:58:55 AM PDT by July 4th
The Ark Royal has docked in Portsmouth after returning from action in the Gulf.
Thousands of people lined the docks to greet the 850 servicemen and women, the combined crew of the aircraft carrier and her escort Type 42 destroyer HMS York.
Friends and family waved banners and cheered on the wet and windy dock as they waited for their loved ones' return.
The flag ship was greeted by a flotilla of local ships and a flyover by military aircraft as it sailed into Portsmouth.
Gary Mills, 46, from Aberdeen, wept as he waved to his 20-year-old daughter Emma, who was on board the ship.
Christine Taylor, 26, from Liverpool, waved to her fiancé, Chief Petty Officer Thomas Evans, 27.
"I'm really, really excited. I just can't wait to see him," she said.
Seaman Matthew McCormick, 30, from Huyton, Liverpool, said: "As soon as I get off the ship I want to go straight home to see my family.
"The mood on board last night was quite mellow as everyone was just thinking about coming home."
The two vessels, together with the supply ship the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Fort Victoria, are the first Royal Navy surface warships to return to the UK from Iraq.
Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon arrived on board the HMS Ark Royal to welcome troops home.
After meeting members of the 600 crew on board Mr Hoon said: "I do not need to remind you of the tremendous job British armed forces have done in Iraq.
"I am delighted to come here to welcome HMS Ark Royal home from the Gulf, it has been a remarkably successful operation."
Mr Hoon said he was keen to get all troops home from Iraq as quickly as possible.
He said: "My commitment to the armed forces is that we will not leave people in Iraq for a day more than necessary."
Rear Admiral David Snelson, commander of UK maritime forces, said: "Although this is a tremendous occasion for Ark Royal, it is important to remember those who are not here and recall the losses the taskforce suffered.
"They will be much in the minds of the ship's company."
Ark Royal commander Captain Alan Massey said: "It was a tough job and I am immensely proud that my crew pulled it off.
"I do not think the public understand what the Navy has achieved."
The Ark Royal sailed out of Portsmouth on 11 January, leading Britain's largest maritime task force since the Falklands War.
During the war on Iraq, Ark Royal operated as a helicopter platform to support Royal Marine Commandos.
She played a pivotal role during the amphibious assault on the Al Faw Peninsula and later provided support to forces ashore.
Leni
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