Iraq war draws to a close

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta declared the official end to the Iraq war, formally wrapping up the U.S. military’s mission in the country after almost nine years.

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Dec. 15, 2011

U.S. military personnel holding the U.S. flag, Iraq flag, and the U.S. Forces Iraq colors look on with an Iraqi Army officer, right, before the start of a casing ceremony where the United States Forces-Iraq flag will be retired, signifying the departure of United States troops from Iraq, at the former Sather Air Base in Baghdad. United States forces are scheduled to entirely depart Iraq by Dec. 31, there are currently around 4,000 troops remaining in Iraq.

Mario Tama / Getty Images

Dec. 14, 2011

U.S. Army soldiers make final preparations before leaving Operating Site Echo, in Diwaniyah, 80 miles south of Baghdad. The U.S. has promised to withdraw from Iraq by the end of the year as required by a 2008 security agreement between Washington and Baghdad.

Hadi Mizban / AP

Dec. 15, 2011

A soldier from the Iraqi Army looks on with American troops during a casing ceremony where the United States Forces-Iraq flag was retired, signifying the departure of U.S. troops from Iraq, at the former Sather Air Base in Baghdad.

Mario Tama / Getty Images

Dec. 15, 2011

A U.S. Air Force soldier in a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle drives past a U.S. Marine holding the flag of the U.S. Forces in Iraq before a flag retirement ceremony, signifying the end of the U.S. presence in Iraq, at the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center in Baghdad. The U.S military officially ended its war in Iraq on Thursday, packing up a military flag at a ceremony with U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta nearly nine years after the invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein. This ceremony is called the "casing of the colors" and signifies the departing and inactivation of the U.S. military's presence in Iraq.

Lucas Jackson / Reuters

Dec. 15, 2011

The U.S. Forces in Iraq colors are lowered before being encased during a ceremony in Baghdad.

/ Reuters

Dec. 15, 2011

U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, left, speaks in Baghdad next to Gen. James Mattis, the head of the U.S. Central Command, during a flag-lowering ceremony marking the end of the U.S. mission in Iraq.

Ali al-Saadi / AFP/Getty Images

Dec. 15, 2011

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army General Martin Dempsey, right, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, center, and U.S. ambassador to Iraq James Jeffrey attend a ceremony marking the end of the U.S. military engagement at the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center.

Mohammed Ameen / Reuters

Dec. 15, 2011

Commanding General of the U.S. forces in Iraq, Lt. Gen. Lloyd Austin, second from left, folds the U.S. Forces in Iraq flag during a ceremony marking the end of the U.S. military engagement at the former U.S. Sather Air Base near Baghdad.

Mohammed Ameen / Reuters

Dec. 15, 2011

The United States Forces-Iraq flag is retired during a casing ceremony signifying the departure of U.S. troops from Iraq at the former Sather Air Base.

Mario Tama / Getty Images

Dec. 15, 2011

Members of the U.S. military retire their ceremonial flags signifying the end of their presence in Iraq at the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center.

Shannon Stapleton / Reuters

Dec. 15, 2011

Members of the U.S. military bow their heads in prayer during a ceremony signifying the end of their presence in Iraq at the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center.

Shannon Stapleton / Reuters

Dec. 15, 2011

U.S. Army soldier Katrina Clark carries the United States Forces-Iraq flag and other flags following a casing ceremony signifying the departure of United States troops from Iraq.

Mario Tama / Getty Images

Dec. 15, 2011

A member of U.S. security personnel pulls her luggage while waiting to depart from Iraq, at the former U.S. Sather Air Base near Baghdad.

Mohammed Ameen / Reuters

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