The Pentagon is counting on a remote outpost in eastern Afghanistan to help lead the way out of America's longest war.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel took a 30-minute helicopter ride from Kabul on Sunday to visit a base that he says will provide the blueprint for an orderly U.S. exit from Afghanistan.

Forward Operating Base Gamberi, not far from Jalalabad in Laghman province, is home to the Train, Advise, Assist Command for the country's eastern region. Its mission: to make Afghan forces fully capable of providing security as the U.S. withdraws. About 800 U.S. troops work at the base with Polish counterparts in training Afghan forces.