Tourists dressed like astronauts visit Ulan Hada Volcano Geopark on February 13, 2024 in Ulanqab, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China. (Photo by Mao Jianjun/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)

Lyon's Ghanaian forward #37 Ernest Nuamah celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match between Olympique Lyonnais (OL) and Stade de Reims at The Groupama Stadium in Decines-Charpieu, central-eastern France on March 30, 2024. (Photo by Olivier Chassignole/AFP Photo)

A Scottish Highland bull on the loose in New Milford, Connecticut on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. (Photo by Caitlin Mandracchi/AP Photo)

Satrio smokes at a kiosk after elementary school on March 3, 2017 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Satrio has smoked up to one pack a day and began when he was six years old. (Photo by Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images)

Competitors release their hens during the World Championship Hen Racing Championships in Bonsall, Britain August 1, 2015. (Photo by Darren Staples/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.

A 12th century manuscript of The Old Testament sits in the Chained Library of Hereford Cathedral after it's annual spring clean on January 24, 2012 in Hereford, England. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Models blow kisses backstage at the Red Beard show during MBFWI presented by American Express Fall/Winter 2014 on March 13, 2014 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by S. Alemdar/Getty Images for IMG)