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U.S. military formally ends mission in Iraq

The U.S. and Iraqi flags and the U.S. Forces-Iraq colors are seen before they are carried in during ceremonies in Baghdad marking the end of U.S. military mission in Iraq. After nearly nine years, 4,500 American dead, 32,000 wounded and more than $800 billion, U.S. officials formally shut down a conflict that U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said was worth the price in blood and money, as it set Iraq on a path to democracy.

The U.S. and Iraqi flags and the U.S. Forces-Iraq colors are seen before they are carried in during ceremonies in Baghdad marking the end of U.S. military mission in Iraq. After nearly nine years, 4,500 American dead, 32,000 wounded and more than $800 billion, U.S. officials formally shut down a conflict that U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta said was worth the price in blood and money, as it set Iraq on a path to democracy.  (Khalid Mohammed / Associated Press)

The U.S. military mission in Iraq formally ended in a small ceremony in Baghdad as the last U.S. troops prepared to leave the country. Read more

Salutes

An Iraqi military officer, center, and U.S. Army soldiers salute during ceremonies marking the end of the U.S. military mission in Iraq.  (Khalid Mohammed / Associated Press)

Heading home

Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, left, commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, retires the United States Forces-Iraq flag during a ceremony marking the departure of American troops from the country.  (Mario Tama / Getty Images)

A moment of prayer

U.S. military personnel bow their heads in prayer during a ceremonies in Baghdad marking the exit of American troops from Iraq.  (Mario Tama / Getty Images)

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Marking the end

U.S. Ambassador to Iraq James Jeffrey; Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta; Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff; Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, commander of U.S. forces in Iraq; and Sgt. Maj. Joseph Allen take part in ceremonies ending the prescence of U.S. troops in Iraq.  (Mario Tama / Getty Images)

Snapping a memory

U.S. soldiers pose for a group picture after the ceremonies marking the end of the U.S. military mission in Iraq.  (Ali Al-Saadi / AFP/Getty Images)

Color guard

A U.S. military color guard departs the ceremonies marking the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq.  (Mario Tama / Getty Images)

Iraq war ceremony

A U.S. soldier walks past cables for media use before the start of ceremonies in Baghdad marking end of the American military mission in Iraq.  (Mario Tama / Getty Images)

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