U.S. Marines end operations in Afghanistan
In a ceremony Sunday morning in dusty desert sunlight, U.S. Marines and British combat troops officially marked the end of their operations in Afghanistan, transferring Camps Leatherneck and Bastion to Afghan control. As national anthems from the three countries played, service members from all three countries stood at attention. The Marine flags were ceremoniously furled and cased, in recognition of the end of mission.
Marines end Afghan operations
ISAF Commander John Campbell arrives to attend a handover ceremony, as the last U.S. Marines unit and British combat troops end their Afghan operations, in Helmand October 26, 2014. The last U.S. Marines unit and final British combat troops in Afghanistan officially ended their operations on Sunday as they packed up to leave the country and transferred a massive military base to the Afghan military.
Marines end Afghan operations
U.S. Marines march with flags during a handover ceremony, as the last U.S. Marines unit and British combat troops end their Afghan operations, in Helmand October 26, 2014.
Marines end Afghan operations
British troops, U.S. Marines, and their Afghan counterparts participate in a handover ceremony of the Camp Bastion complex in Helmand province in Afghanistan on Oct. 26, 2014.
The ceremony marked the end of a 13-year campaign by British troops and American forces.
Marines end Afghan operations
British troops, U.S. Marines, and their Afghan counterparts participate in a handover ceremony of the Camp Bastion complex in Helmand province in Afghanistan on Oct. 26, 2014.
It's a milestone in Helmand, the deadliest province for coalition forces throughout the war, with more than 940 troops killed, including 360 Marines.
Marines end Afghan operations
British troops, U.S. Marines, and their Afghan counterparts participate in a handover ceremony of the Camp Bastion complex in Helmand province in Afghanistan on Oct. 26, 2014.
Marines end Afghan operations
U.S. Marines stand at attention during a handover ceremony, as the last U.S. Marines unit and British combat troops end their Afghan operations, in Helmand October 26, 2014.
Marines end Afghan operations
British troops, U.S. Marines, and their Afghan counterparts participate in a handover ceremony of the Camp Bastion complex in Helmand province in Afghanistan on Oct. 26, 2014.
Marines end Afghan operations
British troops, U.S. Marines, and their Afghan counterparts participate in a handover ceremony of the Camp Bastion complex in Helmand province in Afghanistan on Oct. 26, 2014.
Marines end Afghan operations
British troops, U.S. Marines, and their Afghan counterparts participate in a handover ceremony of the Camp Bastion complex in Helmand province in Afghanistan on Oct. 26, 2014.
Marines end Afghan operations
U.S. Marines lower their flag during a handover ceremony, as the last U.S. Marines unit and British combat troops end their Afghan operations, in Helmand October 26, 2014.
Marines end Afghan operations
British troops, U.S. Marines, and their Afghan counterparts participate in a handover ceremony of the Camp Bastion complex in Helmand province in Afghanistan on Oct. 26, 2014.
Marines end Afghan operations
U.S. Marines stand at attention during a handover ceremony, as the last U.S. Marines unit and British combat troops end their Afghan operations, in Helmand October 26, 2014.
Marines end Afghan operations
British troops, U.S. Marines, and their Afghan counterparts participate in a handover ceremony of the Camp Bastion complex in Helmand province in Afghanistan on Oct. 26, 2014.
Marines end Afghan operations
U.S. Marine troops play basketball before their withdrawal from the base, at Camp Bastion in Helmand province October 25, 2014.
Marines end Afghan operations
A U.S. Marine carries drinking water before their withdrawal from the base, at Camp Bastion in Helmand province October 25, 2014.
Marines end Afghan operations
Gear is seen lying on the ground after a handover ceremony of the Camp Bastion complex in Helmand province in Afghanistan on Oct. 26, 2014.