Hundreds of South African kids met with Pennsylvania Army National Guard soldiers and learned about their M1126 Stryker, an eight-wheeled armored fighting vehicle, September 22, 2012.



Five members of Bravo Company, 1-112th Infantry, 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team from Cambridge Springs, discussed their vehicles capabilities with students from the South African Youth Development program and the public.



The soldiers are part of a U.S. military contingent displaying aircraft and equipment at the Africa Aerospace and Defense Airshow and Exhibition in Pretoria, South Africa.



'We really enjoyed teaching them about the vehicle," said Sergeant Charles Doritty, a computer detection systems repairman from Albon, Pennsylvania. "They obviously did their homework, since their questions were insightful and informed," Doritty added.



"Our students were very excited about seeing the Stryker," said Major Deon LeRoux of the South African Infantry formation.



"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for these youngsters," "The likelihood of them ever seeing one up close again is slim." LeRoux said.



The kids attended the air show with the South African Youth Development program, which works with children to help develop life skills, and future opportunities.



LeRoux who escorted nearly 85 Young Lions through the tour emphasized that the children where impressed with the technology and optics of the vehicle and the remote control capabilities.



The Young Lions is a pilot program recently developed to assist teens, ages 16-18 years old and is designed to provide mentorship, discipline and basic military skills.



Many of the students remarked on the similarities to their current video games and the differences compared to their country's combat vehicles.



Equally impressed were the hundreds of children who toured the vehicle throughout the airshow weekend.



"We have had so many kids excited about seeing the vehicle, particularly the weapons systems and technology," Doritty said. "A lot of video games are based on the Stryker's technology, so most of the kids already knew how to use the control stick," Doritty added.