The U.S. military departed Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan today after a nearly 20-year presence that began on Oct. 7, 2001 a month after the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

They handed the airfield over to the Afghan National Security and Defense Force who will now run the airfield.

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The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan Gen. Austin S. Miller, “still retains all the capabilities and authorities to protect the forces" an official told the Associated Press. The U.S. will spend $4 billion a year until 2024 to fund the security forces.

Many Afghans fear the departure of U.S. forces leaves them in poverty and caught on the brink of another civil war between anti-Taliban factions and the Taliban.

The departure of troops from the airfield signals the complete pullout of U.S. troops from Afghanistan is close, far ahead of the Sept. 11 deadline set by President Joe Biden.

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