British forces and US Marines hand over control of last bases in Afghanistan

British forces Oct. 26 handed over formal control of their last base in Afghanistan to Afghan forces, ending combat operations in the country after 13 years which cost hundreds of lives.

The Union Jack was lowered at Camp Bastion in the southern province of Helmand, while the Stars and Stripes came down at the adjacent Camp Leatherneck - the last U.S. Marine base in the country.

All NATO combat troops will depart Afghanistan by December, leaving Afghan troops and police to battle Taliban insurgents on their own.

The huge joint base built in the desert near the provincial capital Lashkar Gah was the most important installation for the NATO mission in Afghanistan.        

Between 2010 to 2011, it housed almost 40,000 foreigners including sub-contractors.

Hundreds of U.S. Marines and British troops are set to leave Helmand soon, though the precise date has not been revealed for security reasons.

In a ceremony Oct. 26 the Afghans took formal control of the base, despite already being present in a portion of it. Britain's Union Jack and the Stars and Stripes were lowered, leaving only Afghanistan's national flag to flutter in the breeze.

Many facilities such as pipelines, buildings, roads and even office furniture remain in place, with the US alone estimating $230 million worth of equipment is being left behind.

Marine General Daniel D. Yoo, regional commander, said the Afghan army is now now capable of taking over the reins.        

"I'm cautiously optimistic they will be able to sustain themselves. I know from my experience that they have the capability and the capacity if they allocate the resources properly," he said.

"We're very proud of what we've accomplished here," added...