Moments of intense emotion at Fleet Base East as more than 300 people waited to greet their loved ones as they came off Newcastle and where even the littlest angel was adorned with our National Flag. Photos by ABPH Oliver Garside and LS Tony Cosentino.

Three hundred cheering, placard-waving, streamer-throwing, family members and friends greeted Novocastrian CAPT Davyd Thomas when he brought HMAS Newcastle and her 220 officers and sailors safely back from operations with the MIF.

One of the largest and most enthusiastic crowds for some time was at Fleet Base East to watch the FFG, her ship's company lining the decks, inch towards the wharf.

For one man, the Maritime Commander, RADM Geoff Smith, it was perhaps a sad day.

It was the last ship he would welcome home before he hands the weight to his replacement, RADM Raydon Gates.

"It's a happy day for them (the families). That's all that matters," he said.

RADM Smith had earlier thanked family members for supporting those who had served in Newcastle over the last six months.

Some family members travelled more than 1000 kilometres to greet the warship.

Don and Dianne Hayden, with son Todd and friend Nathan Wood flew from Tweed Heads to welcome 22-year-old ABET Tanya Hayden.

The Evans family from Melbourne raised a poster with a difference. In signal flags it read: "Welcome home Caroline Evans."

As the first lines were secured colourful streamers snaked through the air towards the ship.

On deck there were grins - and a few tears. The scene on the dock was similar. Shouts of "we love you" echoed across the waterfront.

The minute the brow was in place CAPT Davyd Thomas strode ashore to a big cheer from the 300.

He was soon in the arms of his wife Maggie and their daughter Rhianydd, 18. Sons William, 13 and Richard, 15 gave their dad a big hug.

With them were Davyd's parents Rhys and Beryl.

"It's good to be home. It's good to be home," CAPT Thomas repeated.

He told a packed press conference his ship had done nine non-compliant boardings while serving with the UN sanctions group in The Gulf.

Of his ship he said: "I have served on many ships. Newcastle is the most reliable 'cab' that I can find."

He also commended the reliability of his Seahawk flight.

The aircraft rotated off the ship near Sydney and returned to HMAS Albatross for a separate welcome home. Newcastle will now go into refit.

By Graham Davis