In the pre-dawn hours, the U.S. presence in Korengali came to an abrupt end as Capt. Mark Moretti, walked two dozen elders around his base, and told them that the United States was withdrawing.

He showed the elders the battle-scarred barracks, a bullet-ridden crane, generators, and a rubber bladder with 6,000 gallons of fuel.

Moretti, the son of a West Point physics professor, and Shamshir Khan, the 86 year old elder, sat together on a small wall near the base's helicopter pad.

They had reached a deal a few days earlier:

If U.S. troops were allowed to leave peacefully, Moretti wouldn't destroy the base.

Khan assured him that the Valley's fighters would honor the deal.

"I hope that when I am gone, you will do what is best for your Valley, and the Villagers," Moretti said.

"I want you to travel safely to your home, to your family," the 86-year-old elder replied. He gazed at the officer, and said he and his villagers wanted to be left alone.