'We will stay in Afghanistan until we have eliminated the terrorist threat to our homeland - once and for all' says Pence as he makes surprise Christmas visit to troops and war-torn country's leaders
Mike Pence made an unannounced visit to Afghanistan where me met the country's president and addressed U.S. troops at Bagram Air Field
He said the U.S. was staying in Afghanistan until the terror threat it posed was over
Pence spoke surrounded by troops from among others, the 3rd Infantry Division, 82nd Airborne Regiment and Rangers, and with an F-16 and a Black Hawk helicopter flanking him
Vice President Mike Pence made an unannounced trip to Afghanistan to meet its leaders and underscore U.S. commitment to the country four months after President Donald Trump agreed to an open-ended war against insurgents here. Pence arrived on a military plane at Bagram Airfield under the cover of darkness on Thursday night after leaving Washington on Wednesday night. He then flew by helicopter to Kabul, where he met President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah at the presidential palace. Pence told the leaders he hoped his presence there was tangible evidence that the United States was 'here to see this through.' In a reversal of his campaign call for a swift withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan, Trump in August pledged a stepped-up military campaign against Taliban insurgents and signaled the United States would send more troops to fight in what is the longest war in its history. At the end of August, there were some 11,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan and more have since arrived.
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Here to stay: Mike Pence landed first at Bagram Air Field outside Kabul where he spoke to troops after meeting the country's leaders
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VIP travel: Mike Pence arrived on a C-17 Globemaster from the 437th Airlift Wing for his unannounced trip to Afghanistan
'Victory is closer than ever': Pence said U.S. efforts towards victory over the Taliban and other radical elements in Afghanistan were working
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Sacrifice: Pence praised the armed forces for their efforts since 2001, which have seen some 2,400 U.S. service personnel killed
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Power on display: Mike pence walked on to a stage at Bagram Air Field in front of an Army Black Hawk. Half of the 3rd Infantry Division's Combat Aviation Brigade is currently deployed to Afghanistan as Task Force Falcon
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Force projection: Military assets were gathered in the hangar at Bagram in front of an audience of service men and women for Pence's speech. They included two MRAPs - mine resistant patrol vehicles used by the infantry
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Flying the flag: U.S. Air Force personnel were in front of an F-16 in the hangar in Bagram as Mike Pence chatted
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Air power: Pence spoke in front of an F-16 which are used in close air support roles for combat operations
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Line-up with the top brass: Mike Pence met senior officers who serve under General Nick Nicholson (left of Pence), commander of U.S forces in Afghanistan
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Glimpse of capabilities: Another aircraft in the hangar was the latest intelligence-gathering and surveillance plane, an MC-12. It is designed for surveillance and reconnaissance missions and can fly at low altitudes much more quietly than a jet. Pence shook hands with senior officers in front of it and a Cougar 6x6 patrl vehicle
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Mission: Pence used his speech to the troops at Bagram to say that the U.S. was not leaving until Afghanistan posed no threat to the homeland
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Selfie time: Pence got an enthusiastic response from service personnel after he spoke
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Thumbs up: An upbeat Mike Pence posed for pictures with servicemen and women at the hangar
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Meeting the troops: Pence spoke to one group of soldiers in the hangar at Bagram
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Thank you for your service: Pence shook hands with one member of the 82nd Airborne Division. 1,200 soldiers from the 82nd were deployed to Afghanistan in September
Talking tough on Pakistan: Pence used his visit to Bagram to say that the U.S. was taking a tough line on Afghanistan's key neighbor
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Posing: One Air Force servicewoman was delighted to meet the vice-president
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Approval: Mike Pence gave a thumbs up as he greeted troops and civilians, among them soldiers frm the 82nd Airborne Regiment, the 3rd Infantry Division, and Rangers
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Meet the boss: Mike Pence spoke with General Nick Nicholson, commander of US forces in Afghanistan
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Key ally: Mike Pence met Afghan President Ashraf Ghani at the Presidential Palace in Kabul for talks
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Talks: Mike Pence met Ashraf Ghani to give a message that U.S. troops are in the country to stay, a reverse of Trump's campaign promise of swift withdrawal
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Inspection: Pence was greeted by an honor guard of Afghan troops at the country's presidential palace
[/FONT] [FONT="]I know there are many faith traditions represented among our troops in Afghanistan. No matter their background & belief, I hope they find renewal & renewed strength in this season. From the First Family and my family and families all across America: Merry Christmas!
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[/FONT] [FONT="]Important meeting w/ Afghanistan's Pres. @ashrafghani & @afgexecutive to discuss @POTUS’ S. Asia strategy & to reaffirm our commitment to stand w/ the Afghan people, to stand up to terrorists that have found a safe haven here & to make it clear that the resolve of the U.S is firm
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I told our troops in Afghanistan that under this Commander-in-Chief and because of their courage, I believe with all my heart that Afghanistan will be free and America will be safe, and we'll WIN this fight.
[/FONT] [FONT="]It was my great honor on behalf of @POTUS & the American people to join our courageous troops in Afghanistan & thank them for their service. It's because of them that we're safe. It's because of them that freedom has a future in Afghanistan, America, and across the wider world.
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[/FONT] [FONT="]Before I left the @WhiteHouse yesterday, I asked @POTUS Trump if he had a message for our troops here in Afghanistan. And he looked at me and said, “Tell them I love them.”
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Vice President Mike Pence
