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 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)

A woman rides a donkey during a donkey race in Roum village, Jizeen countryside, southern Lebanon, August 9, 2015. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Reuters)

Tourists take pictures of straw figurines of traditional deities Shennong (R) and Zhang Wulang (L back) during China's National Day Holiday, in Xinhua county, Hunan province, October 4, 2015. (Photo by Reuters/China Daily)

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte looks at Miss Universe candidates at the presidential palace in Manila, Philippines January 23, 2017. (Photo by Erik De Castro/Reuters)

Iraqi troops fire artillery towards Islamic State (IS) group jihadists' positions in west Mosul on March 11, 2017 during the ongoing battle to retake the city from the group. (Photo by Aris Messinis/AFP Photo)

A man and a dog bathe in a fountain during celebrations of Paratroopers' Day in Moscow' s Gorky Park on August 2, 2017. Russia' s Airborne Troops (Blue Berets) celebrate their professional holiday on the Day of Elijah the Prophet, their Patron. (Photo by Stanislav Krasilnikov/TASS)

Bra-clad Uber passenger was caught on camera stealing from a driver’s tip jar, while brazenly looking into the car’s security camera in New York City, USA in August (issued November 7, 2017). The unnamed rider was with two others. When they got out she looked around as she grabbed dollars out of the jar. The driver then looked down after the three got out, but it was too late. The publication later reported that the woman’s name is Gabita, and she’s 18 years old. (Photo by YouTube/The Epochtimes)