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 reveller covered in paint takes part during the annual Cascamorras festival in Guadix, southern Spain September 9, 2015. The festival was inspired by a dispute between the town of Baza and Guadix over the possession of an icon of the Virgin of Piedad. The Cascamorras refers to representatives from Guadix, who were sent to Baza to recover the statue. As the Cascamorras had to stay perfectly clean to gain possession of the statue, Baza residents attempt to make them as “dirty” as possible. (Photo by Marcelo del Pozo/Reuters)

Riders negotiate a dune as they compete in the Adult Solo race at the HydroGarden Weston Beach Race in Weston- super- Mare, south west England, on October 9, 2016. Beach racing is an offshoot of enduro and motocross racing. Riders on solo motorcycles and quad bikes compete on a course marked out on a beach, with man- made jumps and sand dunes being constructed to make the course tougher. (Photo by Adrian Dennis/AFP Photo)

In this Thursday, October 18, 2018 photo, contestants wait for their performance backstage during the National Amateur Body Builders' Association competition in Tel Aviv, Israel. Dozens of glistening competitors took the stage for the annual body building and fitness competition last week. But behind the scenes, machismo makes way for cooperation. (Photo by Oded Balilty/AP Photo)

Vietnamese artist Hoang Tien Quyet produces curved paper forms using a difficult technique known as wet-folding. This adds an element of sculpture to the work, making Hoàng’s origami animals truly remarkable. Too little water and the paper dries before the folding is done; too much water, and the paper will rip.

35-year old farmer Rammehar Punia has been named as ‘Rubber Man’. Thanks to his remarkable ability to make his shoulders meet in front of his chest. He has used his flex!bil!ty to smash the Guinness World record for the number of CD’s broken between the shoulders. He broke 60 CDs in just a minute.

SpaceX, the space transportation company built from scratch by visionary billionaire Elon Musk, has the grand goal of space travel evolution through the use of re-usable rockets. Its technology – which has proven its worth several times – can reduce the costs of space transportation to its fraction, making it a more affordable way of reaching orbit or traveling beyond.