After 13 years, the Marine Corps officially transferred their last base in Afghanistan to the nation's National Army Troops.
According to Military Times, a ceremony was held to hand over the U.S. base, Camp Leatherneck, as well as the British airfield, Camp Bastion, to the Afghani military. NBC News reported that the flags of both the U.S. and U.K. were lowered and folded to represent the countries' departures.
The base is located in Afghanistan's Helmand region, which includes the Marjah and Sangin districts, noted Military Times. The area experienced many of the war's 458 Marine casualties.
According to NBC News, the Marines' reason for vacating the base has not yet been revealed for safety purposes. It also remains unknown how Afghan police and military will use the U.S. site.
While they plan to use Bastion as an aviation center mainly for travel to Kabul, Camp Leatherneck's new purpose is still under evaluation. It measures 1,600 acres and holds $230 million worth of U.S. military equipment and buildings, reported Military Times. NBC News speculated that the large base will remain a central location for local officials to continue the fight against the region's Taliban insurgency.