The president tied the push to its strategic location near China, adding, "One of the reasons we want that base is... it's an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons." "We were going to leave Afghanistan, but we were going to leave it with strength and dignity. We were going to keep Bagram Air Base," Trump said. Bagram, located about an hour north of Kabul, served as the centerpiece of U.S. military operations during the 20-year war. Its two-mile runway supported fighter jets, cargo planes, and attack helicopters, and the base was a frequent stop for visiting U.S. presidents.