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HELMAND, Afghanistan, Oct. 26 (UPI) -- Britain on Sunday handed over its last military base to Afghan forces, formally ending its 13-year combat mission in the country.

British troops for the last time lowered both the British and American flags in a ceremony at Bastion-Leatherneck complex in Helmand, a news release from the British Ministry of Defense said.

British Secretary of State for Defense Michael Fallon said the move would give Afghanistan "the best possible chance of a stable future."

"Our armed forces' tremendous sacrifice laid the foundations for a strong Afghan security force, set the security context that enabled the first democratic transition of power in the country's history, and stopped it being a launch pad for terrorist attacks in the UK," he said. "Although we are ending a significant chapter in our shared history, the UK's commitment to support Afghanistan will continue through institutional development, the Afghan National Army Officer Academy, and development aid."

At its busiest, Bastion-Leatherneck complex housed up to 14,000 troops and included up to 600 aircraft movements each day. It had its own hospital, water bottling plant, shops, canteens and gyms.

Britain's combat involvement in Afghanistan cost the country more than $32.18 million.

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Britain ends combat mission in Afghanistan