President Obama marks end of Iraq war (11 images)

U.S. President Barack Obama participates in a ceremony to mark the return of the United States Forces-Iraq Colors and the end of the Iraq war at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on December 20, 2011. The last remaining US troops left Iraq on December 18 officially ending the nearly nine year war. UPI/Kristoffer Tripplaar/POOL

U.S. President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden participate in a ceremony to mark the return of the United States Forces-Iraq Colors and the end of the Iraq war at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on December 20, 2011. The last remaining US troops left Iraq on December 18 officially ending the nearly nine year war. UPI/Kristoffer Tripplaar/POOL

U.S. President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden participate in a ceremony to mark the return of the United States Forces-Iraq Colors and the end of the Iraq war at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on December 20, 2011. The last remaining US troops left Iraq on December 18 officially ending the nearly nine year war. UPI/Kristoffer Tripplaar/POOL

U.S. President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden participate in a ceremony to mark the return of the United States Forces-Iraq Colors and the end of the Iraq war at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on December 20, 2011. The last remaining US troops left Iraq on December 18 officially ending the nearly nine year war. UPI/Kristoffer Tripplaar/POOL