personnel, both military and civilian, who have served in Afghanistan since 2001, many on multiple deployments," Hagel said. "I want to express my deep gratitude to all U.S. "At the same time, our courageous military and diplomatic personnel in Afghanistan - along with our NATO allies and coalition partners-have helped the Afghan people reclaim their communities, take the lead for their own security, hold historic elections and complete the first democratic transfer of power in their country's history." "We are safer, and our nation is more secure, because of their service," he said. Today, though, "we give thanks to our troops and intelligence personnel who have been relentless against the terrorists responsible for 9/11 - devastating the core al-Qaida leadership, delivering justice to Osama bin Laden, disrupting terrorist plots and saving countless American lives," the president said. … In 2015, we begin our follow-on mission - Operation Freedom's Sentinel - to help secure and build upon the hard-fought gains of the last 13 years." "At the end of this year," Hagel said, "as our Afghan partners assume responsibility for the security of their country, the United States officially concludes Operation Enduring Freedom. Now, thanks to the extraordinary sacrifices of our men and women in uniform, our combat mission in Afghanistan is ending, and the longest war in American history is coming to a responsible conclusion." "For more than 13 years, ever since nearly 3,000 innocent lives were taken from us on 9/11, our nation has been at war in Afghanistan. "Today's ceremony in Kabul marks a milestone for our country," Obama said. 28, 2014) - President Barack Obama and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel each issued statements today marking the end of the combat mission in Afghanistan.Īfter 13 years of combat operations, Operation Enduring Freedom drew to a close today in a ceremony at the International Security and Assistance Force headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Change of Mission Ceremony from International Security.
![operation enduring freedom operation enduring freedom](https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/assets/images/honor-the-fallen.jpg)
Byers, salutes during the presentation of the Resolute Support Colors at the Change of Mission Ceremony in Kabul.