Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel traveled to Afghanistan this weekend , his fourth and last trip to the country as he makes way for his likely replacement , Defense Secretary nominee Ashton Carter . CNN traveled with Hagel to tactical base Gamberi in Eastern Afghanistan , where the outgoing defense secretary met with troops . Hagel is the first enlisted combat veteran to serve as defense secretary . Asked by CNN whether it will be a loss for the Pentagon to have a defense secretary without combat experience , Hagel said he will not judge . `` That 's not for me to decide , '' Hagel said . `` Everybody brings to their positions their own set of experiences and their own strengths . '' Hagel : More U.S. troops than planned will remain in Afghanistan next year . At the end of December , U.S. forces will end their combat role in Afghanistan and instead focus on counterterrorism missions and training , advising and assisting Afghan troops . The U.S. made a similar investment in Iraq , training Iraqi security forces that later collapsed as the terror group ISIS advanced in the country . Hagel does not see Afghanistan 's security force buckling like in Iraq , citing Afghanistan 's willingness to sign an agreement allowing a residual American troop presence in the country . `` They want us here . They want us to help them assist , advise , train , '' Hagel said . `` How we left Iraq was totally different . The Iraqi government did not want us there . The Iraqi people did not want us there . '' Nearly 11,000 U.S. troops will remain in Afghanistan in the beginning of 2015 . American forces will drop to 5,500 in 2016 and by 2017 the coalition will consolidate to Kabul . Still , while the U.S. draws down in Afghanistan the danger for forces remaining in the country does not . US troops will engage in combat if threatened and will provide air support for Afghan units if needed . `` Bottom line is we 've got to realize this is still a war zone , this is still a war , '' Hagel said . Hagel 's visit comes as the capital city has seen a recent spike in violence . But Taliban attacks are down in 2014 when compared to the previous year . Hagel said he has confidence in the Afghan security forces ability to protect Afghanistan from terror by the hands of al Qaeda and the Taliban . `` [ There are ] still challenges ahead , but I think every sign is that they can do this , '' Hagel said .
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel made his fourth and final trip to Afghanistan the beginning of 2015 . Hagel said unlike in US , Afghanistan officials want a continued U.S. troop presence . Nearly 11,000 Iraq troops will remain in Afghanistan in this weekend .