Visitors dressed in superhero costumes attend the Paris Comics Expo at the Parc Floral in Paris, France, April 15, 2016. (Photo by Charles Platiau/Reuters)

A fan dressed as “Loki” poses before the European premiere of “Avengers: Age of Ultron” at Westfield shopping centre in Shepherds Bush, London April 21, 2015. (Photo by Stefan Wermuth/Reuters)

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.

Russian Tu-95MS strategic bombers fly in formation during rehearsals for the Victory Day military parade, with St. Basil's Cathedral seen in the foreground, in central Moscow May 5, 2015. Russia will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two on May 9. (Photo by Tatyana Makeyeva/Reuters)

Two men ride a motorcycle away from a fire in Athens on Friday, July 17, 2015. Greek firefighters battled large brush and forest fires on the outskirts of Athens and in the country's southern Peloponnese region Friday, where flames forced the evacuation of at least three villages and two summer camps. (Photo by Giorgos Bamboukos/InTime News via AP Photo)

Cosplayer and super fan Sophia sits on the Iron Throne outside the Tower of London on Monday, August 8, 2022 to mark the launch of the Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon, airing on Sky and streaming service NOW from August 22. (Photo by David Parry/PA Wire Press Association)

Balinese girls in traditional costumes gather during a parade for this year's last sundown in Bali island, Indonesia Thursday, December 31, 2015. (Photo by Firdia Lisnawati/AP Photo)

A man watches the approaching flames as the Springs fire continues to grow near Camarillo, California, on May 3, 2013. The wildfire has spread to more than 18,000 acres on day two and is 20 percent contained. (Photo by David McNew)