President Barack Obama traveled Dover Air Force Base in Delaware early Thursday to witness the return of bodies of U.S. troops who died in Afghanistan.

The transport included the bodies of three Drug Enforcement Administration special agents and 15 U.S. troops who died in Afghanistan on Monday.

The remains were carried by a team of military personnel from the victims' service branch to the Air Force Mortuary Operations Center.

Upon arrival, Obama was met by 436th Airlift Wing Commander Col. Manson Morris, then went to a base chapel where he met with family members of the fallen.

Obama held a salute as he and members of the official party stood single file while six-person carry teams took flag-draped transfer cases to nearby mortuary transfer vehicles.

Obama's visit came as he decides whether to send more troops to Afghanistan.