President Obama Says He's 'Optimistic' About 2016

December 18, 2015 2:34 PM EST

After ticking off a list of achievements over his presidency and the past year, President Obama said he looks forward to a productive year in his final press conference before leaving for his family vacation.

“Since taking this office, I have never been more optimistic about the year ahead than I am right now, and in 2016 I’m going to leave it all out on the field,” he told reporters at the White House.

Obama noted that unemployment and uninsured rates are down, praised the recent climate agreement signed in Paris and the Supreme Court decision on gay marriage, and highlighted recent bill he signed reforming No Child Left Behind.

He also argued that the U.S. has kept up pressure on the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, calling on Americans to remain vigilant but refuse to be terrorized.

Among the unfinished business that Obama hopes to tackle next year: Closing the Guantanamo Bay detention center, reforming criminal justice laws and boosting job growth further. He said he may take executive actions in some cases but remains hopeful that he can get Republican lawmakers on board.

“Every battle I’ve had with Congress over the last five years has been uphill, and we keep on surprising you by getting stuff done,” he said.

See Air Force One's Transformation Over 70 Years

A view of Air Force One on the runway. — After the original Air Force One, a C-87A Liberator Express nicknamed *Guess Where II*, was deemed unsafe for presidential use, this Douglas C-54 Skymaster, nicknamed *Sacred Cow* was introduced for President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1945. It was equipped with a radio telephone, sleeping area, and elevator for President Roosevelt's wheelchair. Thomas D. McAvoy—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

Faded color photograph of the Independence in flight.Date: ca. 1947 The Independence — In 1947, *Sacred Cow* was replaced with *Independence* by President Truman, who named it after his hometown. The Douglas DC-6 Liftmaster's nose was painted as a bald eagle.Truman Presidential Library

President Dwight Eisenhower’s private plane — President Eisenhower added *Columbine II*, a Lockheed C-121 Super Constellation, to the Presidential fleet in 1953.William J. Smith—AP

British Royalty, Royal Tour of the United States, pic: October 1957, Washington, USA, HM, Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh pictured alongside US, President Dwight Eisenhower at the airport welcome — *Columbine III*, and two smaller Aero Commanders, joined Eisenhower's Presidential planes. Popperfoto/Getty Images

Air Force One — Special Air Mission 26000, a Boeing 707, went into presidential service under the Kennedy administration. SAM 26000 stayed in service through Bill Clinton's administration until 1998. Wally Nelson—AP

AIR FORCE ONE REAGAN — Although SAM 26000 remained in service throughout the 1990s, it was replaced as the primary executive aircraft by SAM 27000, the same model aircraft, in 1972. Pictured here is President Ronal Reagan on SAM 27000.TSGT Michael J. Haggerty—AP

Barack Obama, — In 1990, SAM 28000, a Boeing 747 was introduced to the Presidential fleet.Pablo Martinez Monsivais—AP

Airplane Takeoffs And Landings At Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. — SAM 29000, also a Boeing 747, remains President Obama's primary transport aircraft.Raymond Boyd—Getty Images

This Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental jetliner, the first VIP-configured aircraft, rolls out for an undisclosed customer for takeoff from Paine Field in Everett, Washington — In January, 2015, it was announced that a Boeing 747-8 will take over as the newest member of the Presidential Fleet known as Air Force One.Anthony Bolante—Reuters

President Obama Says He’s ‘Optimistic’ About 2016

See Air Force One's Transformation Over 70 Years

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