Relatives gather to demand that the government take action to secure the return of their relatives on the 33rd day of Israeli attacks on November 08, 2023 in Tel Aviv, Israel. (Photo by Nir Keidar/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Weimaraner with his owner enjoys riding on a Vespa in Belgrade on April 19, 2025. (Photo by Milan Maricic/ATAImages)

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.

Attnedees dressed in Zombie outfits walk down the Gaslamp Quarter outside of the 2015 Comic-Con International in San Diego, California July 8, 2015. (Photo by Sandy Huffaker/Reuters)

Italian police officers carry away a FEMEN activist during a protest in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Friday, November 14, 2014. Members of the Ukrainian feminist group Femen staged a protest against the upcoming visit of Pope Francis at the European Parliament and Council. (Photo by AP Photo)

An Indian underprivileged bride gets her jewellery adjusted by a relative during a mass marriage ceremony in New Delhi, India, March 10, 2016. Fourteen underprivileged couples tied up the nuptial knot in the mass marriage ceremony organised by various social organisations. (Photo by Rajat Gupta/EPA)

English singer Rita Ora, 29, made sure all eyes were on her as she headed for a night out in a plunging dress in London, England on September 7, 2020. The sеxy checked dress was complemented with heavy gold jewellery around Rita's wrists and neck. Rita's blonde hair had a sheen as it fell over her shoulders, and she completed her look with glam makeup. (Photo by Instagram/The Sun)

Angel Taylor Hill attends Angel Taylor Hill introduces the new Tease Dreamer Fragrance Collection at Victoria's Secret on March 12, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for Victoria's Secret)