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.

Storm clouds blanket the sky over Great American Ball Park as Starlin Castro #13 of the Chicago Cubs fields a ground ball in the fifth inning against the Cincinnati Reds as on July 7, 2014 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

An alleged albino cub of Jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi) plays at the Conservation Park in Medellin, Colombia, on December 23, 2021. According to environmentalists of the Conservation Park of Medellin, the little Jaguarundi will have to live in captivity as its albinism prevents it to hunt, camouflage, and protect itself from predators in the wild. (Photo by Fredy Builes/AFP Photo)

In this photo provided by the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF), smokes and flames billow from vehicles in Hpruso township, Kayah state, Myanmar, Friday, December 24, 2021. Myanmar government troops rounded up villagers, some believed to be women and children, fatally shot more than 30 and set the bodies on fire, a witness and other reports said Saturday. (Photo by KNDF via AP Photo)

A man bundled up for the cold weather carries a dog in his jacket while walking along the waterfront in New Westminster, British Columbia, Tuesday, December 28, 2021. Environment Canada has issued an arctic outflow warning for Metro Vancouver and the south coast with well below normal temperatures forecast for the region. (Photo by Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP Photo)

American singer Ciara, Russian supermodel Natasha Poly and American media personality Olivia Culpo attend the amfAR After Party at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on May 26, 2022 in Cap d'Antibes, France. (Photo by Jacopo M. Raule/Getty Images for Revolve)

Tupolev Tu-142MK, a Soviet and Russian maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft flies above a statue of Soviet Union founder Vladimir Lenin during a rehearsal of the Naval parade in St.Petersburg, Russia, Thursday, July 28, 2022. The celebration of Navy Day in Russia is traditionally marked on the last Sunday of July and will be celebrated on July 31 this year. (Photo by Dmitri Lovetsky/AP Photo)

Festival goers blow soap-bubbles at the 28th Sziget (Island) Festival on Shipyard Island, Northern Budapest, Hungary, 15 August 2022. The festival is one of the biggest cultural events of Europe offering art exhibitions, theatrical and circus performances and above all music concerts. (Photo by Marton Monus/EPA/EFE)