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President Barack Obama secretly slipped into Afghanistan under the cover of darkness Sunday for a weekend visit with U.S. troops serving in the closing months of America's longest war.

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan

Spirited out of Washington aboard Air Force One, Obama flew for more than 13 hours for the brief visit to Bagram Air Base, the main U.S. base in the country.

He is to respond to the criticism in a speech on Wednesday at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. His Afghan visit is bound to be seen by some critics as an attempt to redeem himself in the eyes of military veterans who are alarmed at allegations that government-run medical facilities in the United States have not provided timely care for veterans.

Obama, making his fourth trip to Afghanistan, was to be briefed by Army General Joseph Dunford, who heads U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, and U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan James Cunningham, as he nears a decision on how many U.S. troops to leave behind after most are gone by year's end.

During a visit scheduled to last just a few hours, Obama was also set to speak to the troops and go to the base hospital to see wounded soldiers.

Obama had no plans to visit the Afghan capital Kabul nor would he meet Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai or other government officials. This allows him to avoid getting immersed in the country's presidential election campaign to choose a successor to Karzai, who has long been out of favor in Washington.

Obama's deputy national security adviser, Ben Rhodes, said Karzai was to have been informed about the Obama visit shortly before his arrival.

Karzai has irked Obama by refusing to sign a bilateral security agreement that Washington wants before it will agree to leave a contingent of U.S. troops behind in Afghanistan for training Afghan forces and counter-terrorism operations, after the formal U.S. troop drawdown at the end of the year.

The number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan may drop well below 10,000 - the minimum demanded by the U.S. military to train Afghan forces, Obama administration officials briefed on the matter say.

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Obama surprises U.S. troops in secret trip to Afghanistan

President Obama arrived in Afghanistan on Sunday for an unannounced visit, in which he commended U.S. troops for the sacrifices they have made and said he was hopeful that a bilateral agreement signed by the end of the year would allow for limited troops in the country.

Of all the honors that I have as serving as president, nothing matches serving as your commander-in-chief, Obama told troops in Bagram.

Obama thanked the soldiers for progress in Afghanistan, including the recent Afghan election, more local girls in school and Afghans reclaiming their communities.

Al Qaeda is on its heels in this part of the world and thats because of you, Obama said.

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The surprise trip came as the U.S. and NATO are withdrawing most of their forces ahead of a year-end deadline. Obama is seeking to keep a small number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan beyond 2014 to train Afghan security forces and conduct counterterrorism missions.

But that plan is contingent on with Afghan President Hamid Karzais successor signing a bilateral security agreement, which Karzai himself has refused to authorize.

For many of you, this will be your last tour in Afghanistan, Obama told the troops, crediting them with the lead Afghan forces have taken to secure the country.

Obama said he hopes a bilateral security agreement would be signed by years end, and at that point, Americas war in Afghanistan will come to a responsible end.

Beyond 2014, Obama said there would be a limited military presence in Afghanistan in order to make sure that Afghanistan can never again ever be used to launch an attack against our country and insure Afghanistan doesnt regress.

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Obama Hopes for "Limited Military Presence" in Afghanistan by Year's End

President Obama lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va.

President Obama, back in the nations capital following a surprise trip to visit U.S. troops stationed in Afghanistan, said Monday the country needs to do more to ensure veterans and families get the care and benefits they deserve.

Speaking at Arlington National Cemetery, the president praised veterans from all the nations wars.

Everything that we hold precious in this country was made possible by Americans who gave their all, he said during his speech.

While the president did not specifically mention the growing scandal at the Department of Veterans Affairs over long wait times and secret record-keeping, he did say the country must do more to ensure veterans and families get care and the benefits they deserve.

He added, These Americans have done their duty.

But others, like the American Legion, say the growing scandal at the VA has tarnished this years memorial services.

Verna Jones, director of veterans affairs and rehabilitation at the American Legion National Headquarters, says the VA scandal is leaving a black eye every day for veterans.

Veterans are losing faith in the system, Jones said.

According to various media reports at VA hospitals and clinics across the country, more than three dozen veterans have died while waiting for care.

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Obama celebrates Memorial Day at Arlington as VA scandal grows

President Obama arrived in Afghanistan on Sunday for an unannounced visit, in which he commended U.S. troops for the sacrifices they have made and said he was hopeful that a bilateral agreement signed by the end of the year would allow for limited troops in the country.

Of all the honors that I have as serving as president, nothing matches serving as your commander-in-chief, Obama told troops in Bagram.

Obama thanked the soldiers for progress in Afghanistan, including the recent Afghan election, more local girls in school and Afghans reclaiming their communities.

Al Qaeda is on its heels in this part of the world and thats because of you, Obama said.

It has come to our attention that the browser you are using is either not running javascript or out of date. Please enable javascript and/or update your browser if possible.

The surprise trip came as the U.S. and NATO are withdrawing most of their forces ahead of a year-end deadline. Obama is seeking to keep a small number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan beyond 2014 to train Afghan security forces and conduct counterterrorism missions.

But that plan is contingent on with Afghan President Hamid Karzais successor signing a bilateral security agreement, which Karzai himself has refused to authorize.

For many of you, this will be your last tour in Afghanistan, Obama told the troops, crediting them with the lead Afghan forces have taken to secure the country.

Obama said he hopes a bilateral security agreement would be signed by years end, and at that point, Americas war in Afghanistan will come to a responsible end.

Beyond 2014, Obama said there would be a limited military presence in Afghanistan in order to make sure that Afghanistan can never again ever be used to launch an attack against our country and insure Afghanistan doesnt regress.

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Obama Makes Unannounced Memorial Day Trip to Afghanistan

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Patriot Act Author: Clapper Should Be Fired And Prosecuted New Latest News - Video