video transcript

A quintessentially American scene - in the unlikely setting of Afghanistan's capital Kabul. US troops stationed there celebrated Thanksgiving on Thursday with a game of Ultimate American Football. (SOUNDBITE) (ENGLISH) LIEUTENANT COLONEL B.J HENNESSEY U.S. ARMY IN KABUL SAYING: "We got everybody to gather here to come play on Thanksgiving, it is a great opportunity to take a break from the work and have some fun, get some exercise to enjoy this day." The American holiday traditionally brings together families to celebrate the Pilgrim's first harvest. In Afghanistan, where troops are far from home, the soldiers were treated instead to a Thanksgiving feast on their Kabul airport base. Some took the opportunity to send a message back home. (SOUNDBITE) (English) A FEMALE U.S SOLDIER, PATHAIA DEMZ SAYING: "Mum, Dad, Francisco I love you guys a lot I wish I can be with you but I am there in spirit for sure love you guy, happy Thanksgiving." Thousands of U.S. troops are deployed in Afghanistan to help push back the Taliban and strengthen Afghan government security. The war in the country has entered its 11th year since the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001.