Airman Amaral Participates In Missile Exercise

Navy Airman Matthew B. Amaral, son of Brenda D. and Francisco M. Amaral of Sandy Hook, recently conducted a missile exercise during a routine, scheduled deployment while assigned to the aircraft carrier USS George Washington, homeported in Norfolk, Va.

Launching from Amaral’s ship, aircraft from Carrier Air Wing 7 fired 17 live missiles onto a range over the Arabian Sea in two separate waves.

Amaral is one of more than 7, 600 sailors and marines aboard the ships of the USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group who deployed in order to carry out America’s ongoing operations in the war on terrorism.

Carriers like the USS George Washington are deployed throughout the world to maintain US presence and provide rapid response in times of crisis. They serve as a highly visible deterrent to would-be aggressors, and are equipped with the most versatile and powerful weapons and aircraft available.

Airman Amaral joined the Navy in August 2003.