NEWS FROM THE ARMED FORCES: AARON D. WUNDERLICH

Navy Airman Aaron D. Wunderlich, son of James and Marian Wunderlich of Jackson, is in the Western Pacific Ocean near the island of Taiwan aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz.

Wunderlich is one of more than 5,000 sailors and Marines abord the carrier providing a naval presence in international waters. Wunderlich's ship is monitoring the military exercises and missile firings that the People's Republic of China has been conducting in the waters around Taiwan.

Wunderlcih's ship traveled more than 4,000 miles in a week from the Persian Gulf where it had been helping enforce the no-fly zone over southern Iraq.

Since leaving Bremerton, Wash., in late December, Wunderlich has traveled more than 30,000 miles. While spending 80 of the first 90 days at sea, Wunderlich also has visited Hong Kong, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates.

USS Nimitiz is scheduled to return to the United States in June.

Wunderlich is a 1994 graduate of Jackson High School and joined the Navy in July 1994.