Now that British combat operations have ended and the last UK base in Afghanistan has been handed over to the control of Afghan security forces, any remaining troops are leaving the country via Kandahar.
As the withdrawal of the US-led coalition troops heads into its final stages, many parts of Kandahar Airfield, once home to tens of thousands of soldiers and contractors, are being closed or handed over to the Afghans.
Getty Images photographer Matt Cardy documented the troops packing up and doing a last bit of shopping as they wait for their flights home.
British soldiers purchase food and drink from an outlet in the Broadwalk at Kandahar AirfieldMatt Cardy/Getty ImagesSoldiers queue for food at the Kabob House on the Broadwalk at Kandahar AirfieldMatt Cardy/Getty ImagesCarpets are displayed for sale at the Post Exchange store at Kandahar AirfieldMatt Cardy/Getty ImagesBrightly-coloured dresses are displayed for sale at the Asia Silk Wool Shop in the Broadwalk at Kandahar AirfieldMatt Cardy/Getty ImagesA US soldier shops at the Post Exchange (PX) store, a shop for soldiers at the military baseMatt Cardy/Getty ImagesDaggers decorated with the word 'Afghanistan' and marijuana leaves are among the souvenirs displayed for sale at a shop in the Broadwalk at Kandahar AirfieldMatt Cardy/Getty Images
Members of the Royal Air Force's 31 Squadron Tornadoes departed Kandahar on Tuesday (11 November), leaving Afghanistan for the last time.
The fighter-bombers are heading back to their RAF base in Norfolk, having flown their final missions.
The squadron has provided support to Nato efforts in Afghanistan since June 2009, when they took over from RAF Harriers.
Air crew from RAF Marham's 31 Squadron walk along the flight line and past Tornado GR4s as they prepare to take off from Kandahar Airfield for the last timeMatt Cardy/Getty ImagesAir crew wave as their Tornado prepares to take off from Kandahar AirfieldMatt Cardy/Getty Images
Prince Harry attended a Remembrance Sunday ceremony in Kandahar.
As the United Kingdom's combat mission in Afghanistan comes to an end this year, Prince Harry and British soldiers gathered at the Kandahar Air Base to pay respects to those who died in the two World Wars and other conflicts. Members of the Afghan National Security Force also attended the ceremony.
Musicians from the Royal Artillery Band played the Last Post and soldiers sang the hymn I Vow to Thee My Country.
Prince Harry salutes as the Last Post is played as he joins British troops and service personnel for a Remembrance Sunday service at Kandahar AirfieldMatt Cardy/Getty ImagesSergeant Khym France cries as she attends a Remembrance Sunday service at Kandahar AirfieldMatt Cardy/Getty Images
The departure comes as part of the winding down of the international combat mission in Afghanistan, 13 years after the toppling of the Taliban regime.
The Nato-led international force is now shifting to a reduced role of support, as Afghanistan's newly trained army and police take over the fight against the Taliban.
The Union flag is lowered as British troops attend an end-of-mission ceremony at Kandahar AirfieldMatt Cardy/Getty ImagesThe Union flag is folded after being lowered at Kandahar AirfieldMatt Cardy/Getty ImagesBritish troops attend a 904 Expeditionary Air Wing sunset flag-lowering and end-of-mission ceremonyMatt Cardy/Getty ImagesLuggage belonging to British troops is loaded onto a lorry to be taken to aircraft at Kandahar AirfieldMatt Cardy/Getty ImagesBritish troops queue to confirm details for their journey back homeMatt Cardy/Getty ImagesSergeant Khym France tears up her wall planner outside her office as she marks her final working day at Kandahar AirfieldMatt Cardy/Getty ImagesA US soldier waits for a bus at Kandahar airfieldMatt Cardy/Getty ImagesUS Army first sergeant Tony Quismundo practises his golf swing on waste ground at Kandahar AirfieldMatt Cardy/Getty Images
By 1 January, there will be only 12,500 foreign forces in the country, most of them Americans, to advise and train the Afghan security forces.
