Darlington sailor Michael Noble has returned to Britain after a six-month deployment off the West African coast.
He was on board HMS Argyll, which has spent five months supporting United Nations operations in Sierra Leone.
The ship's role included providing back-up for the operation to rescue British soldiers taken hostage by the West Side Boys militia faction in August.
While anchored off Freetown, the capital, the ship's company helped to build a church and hospital.
Mr Noble, 30, a former pupil of Haughton Comprehensive School, Darlington, who joined the Royal Navy eight years ago, is a leading marine engineering mechanic.
He was particularly looking forward to return home because he is due to become a father early next month.
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