Around 400 NATO troops on Monday (December 31) attended a party at NATO's main headquarters in Kabul and celebrated New Year's Eve away from their families and friends on their mission in Afghanistan.

"It is a chance of a lifetime not very many people get a chance to come into a country and hopefully make a difference and make it new year for everybody not just us it is for everybody so hopefully its better year next year," said Norma Weable an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) contractor

Some of the soldiers admitted to miss their families and friends in their home country and wished them New Year.

"May 2013 be better than 2012 and special move on to a peace...happy new year." said Buddy Walker, a U.S chaplain

"Happy new year happy holidays I'll be home soon, I miss you guys all and I'll be back soon," said Richard French a U.S sergeant

The United States and its NATO allies are gradually drawing forces out of Afghanistan, and are set to hand over security responsibilities to Afghan forces by the end of 2014.

• Kabul, Afghanistan