Sailors from task groups assigned to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command's Task Force (TF) 56 demonstrated science and technology gear to Bahraini students during the Bahraini Youth Science and Technology (BYSAT) Exposition aboard Naval Support Activity Bahrain, May 2.

The exposition is an annual event organized by the U.S. Embassy Manama, the Arabian Pearl Gulf School, and TF 56 Civil Affairs. The aim of the BYSAT is to demonstrate to students some of the high-tech equipment the U.S. Navy uses daily, as well as encourage them to further their education in science and technology.

"If [the] kids want to have a go at the civilian side of engineering and developing this equipment, then this probably opened their eyes up to what else could be out there," said Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician 2nd Class David Mireles, assigned to TF 56.

Some of the cutting-edge military technology the students got a first-hand look at included unmanned underwater vehicles, bomb suits and a remote-controlled bomb-detonating robot, among other exhibits.

"It's really amazing what we saw. Some things that we didn't even think existed," said Hasan Ahmed, creative activities and services coordinator at the Arabian Pearl Gulf School. "For our students, it really opens some doors that didn't exist for them. They can seek future careers and paths they might never have thought of, for example [in] engineering, science and technology."

Expositions like the BYSAT help inform, educate and reinforce understanding of the U.S. Navy mission, further strengthening the relationship between the United States and Bahrain, the U.S. 5th Fleet's gracious host nation.

TF 56 conducts expeditionary, mine countermeasure, explosive ordnance disposal, salvage diving, and force protection operations throughout the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

For further questions, please contact U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs Office at 011-973-1785-4562 or navcentpao@me.navy.mil

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet, visit http://www.cusnc.navy.mil/.