President Barack Obama says every American who has served in Afghanistan should be proud of what they've accomplished.

Obama observed the end of combat operations in Afghanistan by visiting U.S. troops at New Jersey's Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, where he was greeted with a standing ovation. The base has served as a launching point for deployments to Afghanistan.

Three of New Jersey's highest-ranking officials were in attendance, all of whom had put pressure on the president to keep the base fully operational.

Obama says America's war in Afghanistan is coming to a responsible end. He says the U.S. is glad to have its troops coming home.

U.S. and NATO troops closed their operational command in Afghanistan last week after 13 years of war. Some troops will remain, however, to carry out operations against Taliban and al-Qaida targets.

Obama praised America's military for protecting the nation's safety, freedom and security, saying they "are like Santa in fatigues."