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| HMS Illustrious returns to Portsmouth after aid mission | HMS Illustrious returns to Portsmouth after aid mission |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| HMS Illustrious has arrived back in Portsmouth after helping with the relief effort following the typhoon in the Philippines. | |
| Britain's only working aircraft carrier was acting as a base for helicopters delivering aid to 40,000 people on outlying islands. | Britain's only working aircraft carrier was acting as a base for helicopters delivering aid to 40,000 people on outlying islands. |
| The 23,000-tonne ship was on operation in the Gulf when Typhoon Haiyan struck in November. | The 23,000-tonne ship was on operation in the Gulf when Typhoon Haiyan struck in November. |
| The deployment meant its crew of 650 missed being at home for Christmas. | The deployment meant its crew of 650 missed being at home for Christmas. |
| As the ship approached, just before 13:00 GMT, some of the aircraft with the ship flew past the historic dockyard and naval base. | |
| About 1,000 people lined the quayside to welcome home friends and family serving on board. | |
| Illustrious sailed from Portsmouth in August and was scheduled to arrive back on 13 December. | |
| It was diverted to the disaster to relieve Type-45 destroyer HMS Daring, which was one of the first ships to offer help. | It was diverted to the disaster to relieve Type-45 destroyer HMS Daring, which was one of the first ships to offer help. |
| 'Special homecoming' | 'Special homecoming' |
| More than 5,000 people died during Typhoon Haiyan, known as Yolande in the Philippines. | More than 5,000 people died during Typhoon Haiyan, known as Yolande in the Philippines. |
| Strong winds hit the central Philippines when it made landfall on 8 November. | |
| It was one of the most powerful typhoons ever recorded and the deadliest natural disaster in the country's history. | It was one of the most powerful typhoons ever recorded and the deadliest natural disaster in the country's history. |
| Illustrious spent three weeks repairing key services and delivering emergency aid, such as equipment that could turn sea water in to drinking water. | |
| Commanding officer Capt Mike Utley said he was "very proud" the job his crew and the ship had performed. | Commanding officer Capt Mike Utley said he was "very proud" the job his crew and the ship had performed. |
| "The people in the Philippines are extremely resilient, but it was clear to me that those in the worst hit areas had been through a lot," he added. | "The people in the Philippines are extremely resilient, but it was clear to me that those in the worst hit areas had been through a lot," he added. |
| Able Seaman Emma Whitty joined Illustrious just two days before it left Portsmouth for her first deployment. | Able Seaman Emma Whitty joined Illustrious just two days before it left Portsmouth for her first deployment. |
| "Being away for Christmas and the New Year was tough on our families," the 22-year-old from Fareham said. | |
| "Both of my parents were in the Royal Navy though and they understand. We've got a lot of catching up to do after what we hope will be a very special homecoming." | "Both of my parents were in the Royal Navy though and they understand. We've got a lot of catching up to do after what we hope will be a very special homecoming." |
| Illustrious will undergo essential maintenance in Portsmouth before deploying again later in the year. |