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MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- Sailors and Coast Guardsmen assigned to USS Scout (MCM 8) and USCG Baranof (WPB 1318) hosted members of Girl Scout Troop 104 and Desert Fox Patrol Boy Scout Troop 1, both of Abqaiq, Saudi Arabia, for tours and demonstrations June 24.

The scouts also visited Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 6 Detachment 1, the "Desert Hawks," where they toured HH-60 Pave Hawk and MH-53 Sea Dragon helicopters and sat in the cockpit of a C-12 transport plane assigned to Combined Task Force 53.

Scout Master Adam M. Al Somali expressed his gratitude to all of the military personnel involved.

"I want to thank all of the military for supporting scouting," said Al Somali.

During the tours, Scouts received an up-close look at the role of the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy and coalition forces in maritime security operations, as well as navigation technology and weapons systems.

"I wanted to come on this trip because is seemed fun," said Girl Scout Rachael Smith, "I liked touring the big boats."

Fellow Girl Scout Paige Alcala echoed Smith's sentiments.

"It was interesting to see all of the different jobs," said Alcala. "It was really fun to explore the ships."

According to Al Somali, the relationship between the U.S. Navy and Boy Scouts of America is important and helps build future leaders.

"It was wonderful to discover that many of the service members that we met today had been scouts as children," said Al Somali. "On this trip we may have built an interest in future military careers for the kids."

Baranof and Scout are part of Expeditionary Strike Group 5 which was re-established in November 2009 to support amphibious forces deployed to the region, mine warfare, contingency response missions, maritime humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations within the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.