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.

Australian professional boxer Ebanie Bridges after her fight against Shannon Courtenay during the WBA World Bantamweight Title match at Copperbox Arena in London, Britain on April 10, 2021. (Photo by Andrew Couldridge/Action Images via Reuters)

Italian Moto2 rider Lorenzo Dalla Porta, Italtrans Racing Team, crashes during the race of the Motorcycling Grand Prix of Andalusia at the Jerez-Angel Nieto circuit in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, 26 July 2020. (Photo by Roman Rios/EPA/EFE)

A Secret Service police officer wrestles a protester to the ground after she ran towards a motorcade on its way to the LA Convention Center where North and South American leaders are gathered for the ninth Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles, June 8, 2022. (Photo by Apu Gomes/AFP Photo)

A cosplayer portrays Himiko Toga from “League of Villains” outside the convention center during Comic-Con International 2022 on July 22, 2022 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Robyn Beck/AFP Photo)

An army cadet contestant with his kart trailing smoke hits the ramp hard and crashes during the 70 year anniversary soap box derby on April 02, 2023 in Hunstanton, England. Over 40 home built karts raced through the streets of the Norfolk town, around bends and over jumps. The race was first held in1953. (Photo by Martin Pope/Getty Images)

A robot dog is seen before the Gujarat Titans versus Delhi Capitals match in the Indian Premier League in Ahmedabad, India on April 19, 2025. (Photo by Amit Dave/Reuters)

A Polish Army tank takes part in the NATO Noble Jump exercise on a training range near Swietoszow Zagan, Poland, Thursday, June 18, 2015. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz)