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.

Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan poses with his creation “Him” (2001) prior to the opening of the exhibition “Not Afraid of Love” at the Hotel de la Monnaie in Paris, France, October 17, 2016. From October 21, 2016 to January 8, 2017, “Not Afraid of Love”, curated by Chiara Parisi, director of Cultural Programs, sets Maurizio Cattelan’s “comeback at work” in one of the most beautiful Palaces on the river Seine. (Photo by Philippe Wojazer/Reuters)

Actresses Pamela Anderson (L) and Elizabeth Hurley pose together as they arrive at the Vanity Fair post-Academy Awards party at Mortons in Los Angeles, March 25, 2001. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/AFP Photo via Getty Images)

Cuban soldiers receive combat training at the Cadets School “Antonio Maceo” November 28, 2001, 30 kilometers East of Havana. (Photo by Jorge Rey/Getty Images)

Monks take a tiger out of its cage for an afternoon walk June 5, 2001 at the Wat Pa Luangta Bua monastery in Kanchanaburi, Thailand. (Photo by Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)

A model wearing a Maxime Rappaz design, winner of the Annabelle Award, walks the runway during the second day of the Charles Voegele Fashion Days on November 10, 2011 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by The Image Gate/Getty Images for IMG)

Models walks the runway at the Stephan Pelger Show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin Spring/Summer 2012 at the Brandenburg Gate on July 9, 2011 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for IMG)

In this photo taken October 16, 2012 and provided by Oracle Team USA, crew members of the capsized Oracle Team USA AC72 boat are rescued after being swept past the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. The America's Cup champion syndicate is assessing the damage to its 72-foot catamaran, after it capsized and was swept by a strong current more than four miles past the Golden Gate Bridge before rescue boats could control it. (Photo by Guilain Grenier/Oracle Team USA/Associated Press)