Soldiers at the biggest US base in Afghanistan on Wednesday welcomed the election of Barack Obama as their new commander-in-chief but said it would not change their mission to defeat the Taliban.

Obama, 47, defeated Republican candidate John McCain to become the first black American president. He will now inherit two wars involving US troops -- in Afghanistan and Iraq.

`It is a historic election,` Major Rory Aylward told an AFP reporter at the massive base north of Kabul.

`I am happy so many people went out and voted. It makes me feel what I am doing over here is worthwhile.`

But Aylward said the mission of US troops in Afghanistan -- to help Kabul put down a Taliban-led insurgency in the war-wracked country -- would not change.

`I don`t think much is going to change. I understand the strategy is being reviewed, whether it was a Republican or a Democrat (who won).`

Petty Officer Christopher Stafford agreed, saying: `I have got to do what I have got to do,` adding: `We can only go up.`

`He is my new boss,` said Specialist Kenneth Sayer, when asked what he thought of Obama.

`Everybody I know is very proud of what I`m doing, regardless who is president. I don`t see any one changing their mind.`

Lieutenant Colonel Kirk Jensen said the election of the first black US president was welcome, but not a surprise.

`It went as expected,` he said. `Barack seemed to be the odds-on favorites. I am pleased -- it stands for a change.`