epaselect epa05234254 A model presents a creation from the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology Emerging Design Collection at the “BIFT ELLASSAY” Scholarship Awarding Ceremony during the Mercedes-Benz China Fashion Week at the Beijing Hotel, in Beijing, China, 29 March 2016. (Photo by Wu Hong/EPA)

Second placed Zhang Guowei of China gestures as he celebrates after winning silver in the men's high jump final during the 15th IAAF World Championships at the National Stadium in Beijing, China, August 30, 2015. (Photo by Dylan Martinez/Reuters)

Models present creations from the SGM ART MOUSE JI during the China Fashion Week in Beijing, China, 25 October 2020. The fashion​ event runs from 24 October to 01 November. (Photo by Wu Hong/EPA/EFE)

Militia members march in formation past Tiananmen Square during the military parade marking the 70th founding anniversary of People's Republic of China, on its National Day in Beijing, China on October 1, 2019. (Photo by Thomas Peter/Reuters)

China's Women Badminton team gather for a group cheer before a final match against Indonesia for the Uber Cup held in Chengdu in southwestern China's Sichuan Province, Sunday, May 5, 2024. (Photo by Ng Han Guan/AP Photo)

19 giant panda cubs, all born this year, meet the public at the Shenshuping Base of the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda on October 13, 2017 in Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, China. So far China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda has successfully bred 42 giant pandas this year. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images)

This picture taken on July 15, 2014 shows a bridge submerged in floodwaters in the ancient town of Fenghuang, central China's Hunan province. Rainstorms lashed central China's Hunan Province and southwest China's Guizhou Province, affecting over 1 million people and flooding a historical town, state media reported. (Photo by 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.