World War II enthusiasts take part in a re-enactament to mark the 70th anniversary of the Allied landings on Anzio beach, 52 km south of Rome, on January 25, 2014. (Photo by Andreas Solaro/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.

Fascist youth, both boys and girls, in the rebel uniforms in Irun after the city had been captured by the rebels. (Photo by Maeers/Fox Photos/Getty Images). 13th November 1936

Fifty Shades Darker lingerie by Coco de Mer – capturing the “inner goddess” of Anastasia Steele – is launched following record-breaking release of movie’s new trailer. Official collection developed in conjunction with E.L. James to coincide with the new Fifty Shades Darker movie. They are the first official Fifty Shades Darker products to be released ahead of the new movie whose trailer was watched 114 million times in first 24 hours, breaking Star Wars: The Force Awakens previous record. (Photo by Rankin/Coco de Mer/Rex Shutterstock)

Four hundred buyers from around the world join 260 diamond manufacturing and trading firms on International Diamond Week as some 1,500 people are expected to trade more than billion of polished diamonds this week in Ramat Gan, Israel on February 16, 2016. The Israel Diamond Exchange is considered the most secure in the world, covering an area of 100,000 square meters with 3,500 bourse members. (Photo by Nir Alon via ZUMA Wire)

Couples take part in the “Love and Challenge Marathon” in Hanoi, Vietnam, 16 August 2015. Fifty couples, who are going to get married, participated in the event which is held the fifth time. This year, the winners of the marathon received a honeymoon trip to Malaysia. (Photo by Luong Thai Linh/EPA)

Sculptures entitled “The Rising Tide” by British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor are seen beside the River Thames in front of the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye ferris wheel in London, September 3, 2015. The representations of four horses and riders are fully visible at low tide but become immersed underwater twice a day as the Thames rises to reach full tide. The installation will be on display throughout September as part of the annual Totally Thames festival. (Photo by Toby Melville/Reuters)

In this photo posted on Twitter, Sunday, May 3, 2015, and provided by NASA, Italian astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti sips espresso from a cup designed for use in zero-gravity, on the International Space Station. Cristoforetti, the first Italian woman in space, fired up the first espresso machine in space, which uses small capsules, or pods, of espresso coffee. (Photo by AP Photo/NASA)