But, first, America's longest war is over.The final military flight of American troops left Afghanistan just before midnight on what is now Tuesday, August 31, In Kabul after 20 years of war.As of today, the U.S. has airlifted more than 120,000 American civilians and Afghan allies out of Kabul, almost all of them in the last two-plus weeks.But thousands of Afghans who want to leave are left behind, for now.And the deaths of many Americans and Afghans over the last several days haunt this exit.Again with the support of the Pulitzer Center, here's "NewsHour" special correspondent Jane Ferguson.I'm here to announce The completion of our withdrawal from Afghanistan and the end of the military mission to evacuate American citizens, third country nationals and vulnerable Afghans.The last C-17 lifted off from Hamid Karzai International Airport on August 30 this afternoon at 3:29 p.m.East Coast time, and the last manned aircraft is now clearing the airspace above Afghanistan.The announcement came from the top American general in the region, General Frank McKenzie, the commander of U.S. Central Command.Tonight's withdrawal signifies both the end of the military component of the evacuation, but also the end of the nearly 20-year mission that began in Afghanistan shortly after September 11, 2001.The general also noted that both he and his son had served in the country, a generational American war effort now ended.
