Donald Trump stops at Ramstein base in Germany after Iraq visit

The president's first trip to visit troops in harm's way was unannounced and shrouded in secrecy

Politics 09:26 27.12.2018

President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania Trump, have greeted US troops in Germany, his second visit to troops abroad in the last day.

The president's Air Force One stopped at Ramstein Air Force Base in southwest Germany on his way back from Iraq, where he had visited US troops in harm's way for the first time, two years into his presidency.

Mr. Trump slowly walked along a rope line at the US base in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate, shaking hands, posing for selfies, and autographing "Make America Great Again hats" for servicemen.

The president also met with Air Force Generals aboard his aircraft at the base.

His earlier visit to Al Asad base in Anbar Iraq was his first to US forces in harm's way overseas. The base was once on the frontlines of the war against ISIS, facing down suicide bombers and experiencing regular mortar attacks in 2015. Mr. Trump has claimed responsibility for defeating ISIS.

During a speech to troops at Al Asad base he said that unlike in Syria he had no plans to bring home the roughly 5,000 troops stationed in Iraq. The 2,000 US troops in Syria could return home because of military gains against ISIS, he said.

The president's trip was unannounced and closely shrouded in secrecy. But aviation enthusiasts watching aircraft trackers spotted Air Force One travelling over Europe despite Mr Trump having no scheduled visits, sparking speculation of a Christmas visit to the troops in the Middle East.

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