U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has wrapped up his final trip to Afghanistan before stepping down from the Pentagon at the end of the month. During his visit, Gates floated the idea of extending the U.S. occupation beyond 2014 while also rebuffing Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s call to end U.S. attacks on Afghan homes. On Tuesday, Gates addressed troops at a ceremony in Kabul.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates: “So I leave Afghanistan today with the belief that if we keep this momentum up, we will deliver a decisive blow to the enemy and turn the corner in this conflict. And if we do, it will be because of the service and sacrifice of all of you, all of the rest of those from all of the coalition countries and our Afghan partners throughout this country, and the sacrifices of your families, as well. And for that, I will always thank you.”