The last of the U.S. troop surge ordered to Afghanistan nearly two years ago is now back home.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said the surge of 33,000 additional troops accomplished its mission.

The goal was to beat back the Taliban and give the Afghan government and its security force time to take hold.

"The surge did accomplish it objectives of reversing the Taliban momentum on the battlefield and dramatically increasing the size and capability of the Afghan national security forces," Panetta told reporters at a press conference in New Zealand.
   
About 68,000 U.S. troops remain in Afghanistan.