President Barack Obama has slipped into Afghanistan under intense security and the cover of night.
He is there to sign an agreement aimed at cementing a lasting US commitment to the nation after the long and unpopular war comes to an end.
For about seven hours President Obama is to be on the ground in Afghanistan, where the United States has been engaged in war in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, attacks more than decade ago.
The trip carries major symbolic significance for the president as US commander in chief. And it allows him to showcase what the White House considers the fruit of Mr Obama's refocused war effort: the killing a year ago of 9/11 mastermind Osama bin Laden.
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