Goodbye Iraq: Last US combat brigade heads home

The last American combat brigade left Iraq today.

Captain Christopher Ophardt, spokesman for the 4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, said the last of the unit's vehicles crossed the border into Kuwait early today.

America's combat role in the country ends on August 31.

Most of the brigade's 4,000 soldiers have been driving out of Iraq in their armoured vehicles. A few hundred members stayed behind to finish administrative and logistical duties but will fly out of Baghdad later today.

About 50,000 troops will stay in Iraq until the end of next year.