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.

History Created on 15th June 92 Young poor & Physically challenged Couples tied in a lifelong knot of Marriage “Free of Cost” Combined Marriage Function at Ramlila Ground on behalf of “Narayan Sewa Sansthan”. “Although we are unable to move without the support of a crutch or might take the help of others in performing every activity, still, we can afford to become a support for each other”. With this spirit, 92 young disabled and poor brides &bridegrooms promised to support each other throughout their life. The historical Ramliila Ground of Delhi became the witness of this mega event. Photo: Mass wedding in Delhi.

Sydneysiders take part in the “AIME Strut the Streets” in an attempt to break the Guiness record for the world's largest swimwear parade on December 7, 2012 in Sydney, Australia. The event was organised to raise funds and awareness for the not for profit charity organisation, the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams)

A girl peeps at a gate as primary school students enter to attend an open air class near their school building as part of an initiative from the government following restrictions imposed to control the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus, in Kolkata on February 7, 2022. (Photo by Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP Photo)

England supporters celebrate England's penalty and second goal as they watch the UEFA EURO 2020 semi-final football match between England and Denmark, at the 4TheFans Fan Park in Manchester, northwest England on July 7, 2021. (Photo by Oli Scarff/AFP Photo)

A demonstrator uses a slingshot during clashes with police at a protest against what they call the government's failure in handling the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Bangkok, Thailand, August 7, 2021. (Photo by Soe Zeya Tun/Reuters)

Volunteers throw a mixture of water, neem herb and turmeric as an alleged natural disinfectant on a street in a residential area during a government-imposed nationwide lockdown as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 coronavirus, in Chennai on April 7, 2020. (Photo by Arun Sankar/AFP Photo)

A demonstrator holds up her fist, in front of police officers during a protest, organised by Black Lives Matter Belgium, against racial inequality in the aftermath of the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, in central Brussels, Belgium on June 7, 2020. (Photo by Yves Herman/Reuters)