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.

Disabled dogs outfitted with wheelchairs walk at an animal rescue center on July 12, 2008 in Chengdu of Sichuan Province, China. The center has adopted over 100 stray dogs and cats from quake-struck areas. Those who were hurt or disabled are outfitted with a cart to help support they're body and make them mobile. (Photo by China Photos/Getty Images)

A model showcases designs by Metias as part of the LMFF Offsite Runway 1 show on day six of the 2011 L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival at Peninsula Central Pier Docklands on March 19, 2011 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Marianna Massey/Getty Images)

(L-R) Ozzy Osbourne and son, producer Jack Osbourne visit the Tribeca Film Festival 2011 portrait studio on April 25, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival)

Beyonce Knowles performs at the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, Pilton on June 26, 2011 in Glastonbury, England. The festival, which started in 1970 when several hundred hippies paid 1 GBP to watch Marc Bolan, has grown into Europe's largest music festival attracting more than 175,000 people over five days. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images)

Amy Winehouse's father Mitch Winehouse (C) mother Janis Winehouse (L in white) brother Alex Winehouse (R) and former boyfriend Reg Traviss (2nd R) look at floral tributes left at her house by fans on July 25, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

In this photo provided by World Press Photo, the 1st Prize Daily Life Single of the 2011 World Press Photo Contest by Omar Feisal, Somalia, Reuters, shows a man carrying a shark through the streets of Mogadishu, Somalia, September 23, 2010. (AP Photo/Omar Feisal/Reuters)