FGS Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, German Navy’s F123 frigate, is set to return from its Mediterranean Sea deployment on Friday, December 23.

The frigate was part of the EUNAVFOR MED operation Sophia which is aimed at curbing migrant and weapon smuggling activities in the Mediterranean Sea.

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern was part of the mission together with another German Navy ship, the tanker Main.

Frigate captain Christian Schulze said he would remember the gratitude of people his crew saved from unseaworthy boats. He added that the rescue of 284 people in one rescue action showed that the training and preparation ahead of deployment pays off.

The crew is now headed home after sailing over 26.000 nautical miles.

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is the last of four Brandenburg-class anti-submarine warfare frigates that were commissioned into the navy between 1994 and 1996.

The 138 meter long frigates are armed with Exocet MM 38, Sea Sparrow and RAM (Rolling Airframe Missile) missiles.