VIDEO: President Obama is greeted by NATO Commander in Afghanistan Gen. David Petraeus, left, and US Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl W. Elkenberry, center, after stepping off Air Force One during an unannounced visit to Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan. Friday, Dec. 3, 2010 — just days before a pivotal review about the 9-year-plus conflict.
President Obama made a surprise visit to Afghanistan on Friday as casualties mount since the U.S. escalated the war last year.
President Barack Obama landed in night’s darkness after a secret departure from the White House on Thursday.
Although specific details about the whole trip have been guarded, Obama plans to personally thank U.S. troops for their service during the holidays.
Rough weather forced the president to abruptly scrap his plans to meet Afghan President Hamid Karzai in the capital of Kabul. Wind, dust and cloud cover made it unsafe for the president to fly by helicopter from the huge military complex in Bagram Air Field to the presidential palace.