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.

A fireman from the London Fire Brigade, wearing a smoke helmet. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images). Circa 1908

Three secondary schoolboys smoking an illicit cigarette in Hyde Park, London. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images). May 1972

Television actress Catherine Fuller visits Trafalgar Square in London and feeds the famous pigeons. (Photo by Harry Kerr/BIPs/Getty Images). 26th June 1956

18 year old German photographer Kara (Kara-a) has a passion for macro photography and especially capturing drops of water reflecting various images beyond. Simple beauty of little droplets combined with Kara’s creativity brought up some really entertaining photographs.

A paper mache pig meant to mock Donald Trump sits on display at a protest against the Republican presidential candidate before the start of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, 17 July 2016. Numerous protest groups are expected in Cleveland throughout the four-day-long convention. (Photo by Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA)

A Iranian man walks with a sheep he bought at a market in the capital Tehran on September 12, 2016, as Muslims mark the first day of the Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice) holiday. Muslims across the world celebrate the annual festival of Eid al-Adha, or the festival of sacrifice, which marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca and commemorates prophet Abraham's readiness to sacrifice his son to show obedience to God. (Photo by AFP Photo/Stringer)