General view of performance during the “Fuerza Bruta Wayra” show on February 28, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Xavi Torrent/Getty Images)

A soldier makes a “heart hands” gesture from inside a tank during the parade in Washington on June 14, 2025. (Photo by Kevin Mohatt/Reuters)

A policeman stops a cyclist as demonstrators from Extinction Rebellion (XR) protest during the NATO Summit by blocking the A12 highway in The Hague, The Netherlands, 25 June 2025. The Netherlands, for the first time in NATO's history of existence, is hosting a NATO summit. (Photo by Sebastiaan Barel/EPA)

Ambra Sabatini (ITA) and Monica Graziana Contrafatto (ITA) fall at the finish line ahead of Elena Kratter (SUI) and Noelle Lambert (USA) in the Para Athletics Women’s 100m -T63 Final during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Summer Games at Stade de France, on September 7, 2024. (Photo by Adrian Dennis/OIS via Imagn Images)

Corinthians forward Jaqueline Ribeiro (L) celebrates with teammate midfielder Victoria Albuquerque after scoring a goal during the women's Brazilian Championship 2024 final match between Corinthians and Sao Paulo at the Neo Quimica Arena in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on September 22, 2024. (Photo by Miguel Schincariol/AFP Photo)

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.

Steven Tyler of the musical group Aerosmith, perform at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, January 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Mario Anzuoni/Reuters)

British rapper Lady Leshurr poses as she arrives for the Brit Awards at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, February 18, 2020. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)