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By Kevin Liptak, CNN White House Producer

December 15, 2014 -- Updated 2116 GMT (0516 HKT)

Christie greets Obama on May 28 after Air Force One landed at McGuire Air Force base.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Fort Dix, New Jersey (CNN) -- President Barack Obama offered a bullish assessment of his war on Islamic terrorists in Syria and Iraq on Monday, even as he acknowledged small gains by ISIS would mean the U.S. engagement there will be prolonged.

Speaking inside a New Jersey airplane hangar with a massive Navy C-130 as his backdrop, Obama said the U.S. was "hammering these terrorists" by taking out supply chains and disrupting the network's command structure.

"We have blunted their momentum and put them on the defensive," Obama said.

"They may think that they can chalk up some quick victories, but our reach is long," he said. "We do not give up. You threaten America, you will have no safe haven. We will find you, and like petty tyrants and terrorists before you, the world is going to leave you behind and keep moving on without you, because we will get you."

Obama flew to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, near Trenton, to offer his thanks to U.S. military personnel, many of whom have served in combat zones. He said the 3,000 troops who filled the hangar they were like "Santa in fatigues" for the work they had carried out on behalf of the United States.

During his remarks he noted his efforts to wind down the war in Afghanistan, where the U.S. combat mission will conclude at year's end.

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Obama: U.S. 'hammering' ISIS