(KCEN) -- Defense Secretary Leon Panetta traveled to Kandahar, Afghanistan today, praising troops for their work in the war-torn country.
Panetta actually went wheels-down in Afghanistan yesterday for the unannounced trip.
After today's visit, Panetta returned to Kabul to meet with Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
Later in the day a suicide bomber set off explosives near the base Panetta visited.
But according to the Pentagon, Panetta was already back in Kabul when the attack happened.