KABUL, Afghanistan (November 22, 2012)—U.S. troops were celebrating Thanksgiving Day Thursday with food and football at a U.S.-led coalition base in the Afghan capital.

Huge hunks of beef awaited the estimated 2,500 diners on Thursday as soldiers lined up at the base in Kabul.

Red-white-and-blue decorations filled the room while brochures about combat stress served as table centerpieces.

The menu also included turkey, ham and rib eye steaks with sides of dressing, corn and collard greens.

Some soldiers lapped up mashed potatoes and gravy with their spoons.

For desert, there was a massive cake with a turkey etched in icing and scores of pies.

Army Sgt. Keith Wells said he’s thankful for the good food, but admitted that he was craving his wife's macaroni and cheese back home in Charlotte, N.C.