JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
In a welcoming ceremony fit for royalty, British Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife, Samantha, touched down on the Joint Base Andrews, Md., flightline March 13 and were greeted by Col. Mark Allison, 11th Wing staff judge advocate, and numerous 11th Wing and civilian supporters. The distinguished visitors were also met by a full joint-service honor guard and the playing of the U.S. and British national anthems by the U.S. Air Force Band.
During his visit, Cameron spoke with the president about several hot-button issues such as: the current tensions in Iran, violence in Syria and the potential complete draw down of British and U.S. troops from Afghanistan by 2014.
In a quote from "An alliance the world can count on," the official memorandum sent out by Obama and Cameron prior to the prime minister's visit, the two dignitaries recounted the work of current and former British and U.S. soldiers, as well as where they see their role in the country, in the upcoming years.
"As the two largest contributors to the international mission in Afghanistan, we're proud of the progress our troops have made in dismantling al-Qaeda, breaking the Taliban's momentum and training Afghan forces," said Obama and Cameron. "As two peoples who live free because of the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform, we're working together like never before to care for them when they come home."
Cameron's visit wasn't all business though, as his first stop in the U.S. was in Ohio where he and the president had the chance to attend a National College Athletic Association (NCAA) basketball game between Western Kentucky University and Mississippi Valley State at the University of Dayton Sports Arena.
In a quote from Obama on usatoday.com, the president took advantage of the opportunity to share a few game pointers with Cameron during the game. "As president, I shared with the prime minister a uniquely American tradition of 'bracketology.'"