Obama sees return of U.S. colors from Iraq

ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md., Dec. 20 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama Tuesday visited Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington to see the return of the U.S. Forces-Iraq Colors.

Obama and Vice President Joe Biden thanked uniformed service members getting off the plane from Iraq. They were accompanied by Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey and other officers, the White House said in a pool report.

"We welcome you. We're proud of you. We're in your debt," Carter told service members gathered inside a hangar. "As the president always says, your service belongs to the ages."

Army Gen. Lloyd James Austin III said military operations in Iraq had met a "successful conclusion" and praised troops for a job "extremely well done," saying they are part of the "pre-eminent military force in the world."

Obama and Biden greeted and thanked service members and their families but did not offer any general remarks, the White House said.