U.S. leaves Bagram Airfield as America winds down its longest war

All U.S. and coalition troops have left Bagram Airfield, once the largest base in Afghanistan and the hub of American air operations throughout the nearly two-decade conflict, a U.S. defense official confirmed Friday.

The closure of Bagram, about 25 miles north of the capital, Kabul, marks a symbolic end to America’s longest war, though some U.S. troops remain at smaller outposts.

Gen. Scott Miller, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, “still retains all the capabilities and authorities to protect” the remaining forces in the country, the U.S. defense official who confirmed the pullout said on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the record.

The airfield was turned over to the Afghan security forces without fanfare.

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