About 500 people welcomed HMS Somerset back to its Plymouth base after a six-month Mediterranean deployment.
The frigate has been part of Operation Active Endeavour, Nato's continuous mission to fight maritime crime.
This involved deterring drugs and arms smuggling and people-trafficking.
The ship's 180-strong crew also took part in international military exercises and visited nine countries and 28 ports in a diplomatic role.
The deployment included the largest anti-submarine exercise, which showed HMS Somerset was unmatched in her ability to hunt 'enemy' submarines.
Commanding officer Cdr Rob Wilson said: "This deployment has demanded much of my sailors and they have delivered in every regard.
"They have proven to be excellent ambassadors for the Royal Navy and the nation. I am fiercely proud of each and every one of them."
Lt Cdr Steve Quantrill, the ship's logistics officer, from Starcross, Devon, was greeted by his wife Natalie and their son Ruari, aged five months.
"I have had homecomings before, but this is an extra special one for me with Ruari meeting me for the first time," he said.
HMS Somerset will now undergo maintenance before sailing for a series of exercises in September.
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