Filipino villagers escape to a safe area as the Mayon Volcano erupts anew in the town of Daraga, Albay province, Philippines, 23 January 2018. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) agency on 22 January raised the alert level for the Mayon Volcano amid fears of a bigger eruption over the next few hours or days. (Photo by Francis R. Malasig/EPA/EFE)

Indian people bang utensils and clap from the balconies of a residential building in Mumbai, India, 22 March 2020. Prime Minister Narendra Modi asks citizens to impose self-curfew to fight Coronavirus COVID-19 and also ask them to clap, bang the bells and utensils at 5pm Indian time to mark of respect and to thank the medical staff and others working 24 hours, during Covid-19 outbreak to keeping the Indians safe. (Photo by Divyakant Solanki/EPA/EFE)

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.

Colombian-Spanish actress Juana Acosta attends the Fotogramas Awards 2012 at Joy Eslava Club on March 12, 2012 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)

Google's vice president Alan Eustace looks out of his spacesuit into the stratosphere prior to a record-breaking skydive over New Mexico, in this still image taken from video October 24, 2014, a handout courtesy of the Paragon Space Development Corporation. Eustace was lifted up 135,890 ft (41,420 metres) by an enormous balloon while wearing a specially designed pressurized space suit, the Paragon Space Development Corporation said. Eustace remained in a free fall for approximately 4.5 minutes before landing safely nearly 70 miles (43.4 kms) from his launch point, setting a world record for the highest skydive and breaking the sound barrier in the process. Eustace landed safely on the ground just 15 minutes after he was lifted into the air. (Photo by Reuters/Paragon Space Development Corporation)

Daniel J. Wabsey, a 58-year-old war veteran, sits outside his tent at Camp Hope in Las Cruces, New Mexico October 6, 2015. “I've been traveling for 35 or 38 years. Getting inside would take a while to get used to. I just want to be able to eat, sleep and be safe. We all get along and understand in Camp Hope. We've all been there. With common sense you can survive out here”, Wabsey said. Camp Hope describe themselves as an “alternative transitional living project for the homeless”. Around 50 people live at the camp. (Photo by Shannon Stapleton/Reuters)

Models pose backstage at the Celia Kritharioti Spring/Summer 2012 fashion show at One Mayfair on March 20, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images For Celia Kritharioti)