Throughout the course of the long war in Afghanistan, Coalition troops have relied on thousands of military working dogs to help keep them safe, and make their jobs easier. The dogs are trained to detect explosives, to find illegal drugs, to search for missing comrades, or target enemy combatants. Not only are they active on the front lines, but behind the lines they serve as therapy dogs, service dogs, and loyal companions. They also share the same risks as the ground troops, suffering injuries and sometimes death on the battlefields. Gathered here are images of these dogs and their handlers in Afghanistan and back home, from over the past several years, part of the ongoing series here on Afghanistan.

Bikers passes along the High Street on March 18, 2012 in Royal Wootton Bassett, England. The ride, in its third and final year and involving thousands of bikers started at Hullavington airfield and aims to honour the people of Royal Wootton Bassett and to raise money for the Afghan Heroes charity. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

The Royal Observatory just announced its Astronomy Photographer Of The Year 2013 winners. Australian photographer Mark Gee was chosen among a thousand amateur and professional photographers around the globe to win the top title. His work is part of an exhibition of the winning photographers, which opened on Sept. 19 at the Royal Observatory Greenwich. The Royal Observatory shared with us the winners and notable mentions of the competition. Their descriptions of the prizewinners can be found below the images.

The body of one of several U.S. soldiers who were executed after being captured by North Korean troops just south of Seoul in early July 1950. (Photo by AP Photo)

A fan wipes her lip after she was hit on the mouth by a foul ball hit by Kansas City Royals' Brandon Moss during the third inning of the Royals' baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Friday, September 22, 2017, in Chicago. (Photo by David Banks/AP Photo)

Smoke rises from a replica of a T-Rex after it burst into flames at the Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience in Canon City, Colorado, U.S. in this picture obtained from social media March 22, 2018. (Photo by Reuters/Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience)

Battle-weary American troops withdraw from Yong San in Korea. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images). 1950

German troops in Stalingrad, USSR. September 10, 1942. (Photo by TASS)