Photo By Lance Cpl. Elizabeth Gallagher | U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jayce Gilley, military working dog handler, and Fleck, a...... read more read more
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[MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, ARIZONA] – U.S. Marine Corps military working dog Fleck is set to retire in July, 2024 after seven years of honorable and dedicated service at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma, Arizona.
Since the earliest days of our country, dogs and other animal companions have been making large impacts on service members leading to the official integration of military working dogs into the Marine Corps in 1942.
“During the Civil War, troops marching off to battle brought dogs along as unit mascots and companions. Among the most famous was Sallie, the mascot of the 11th Pennsylvania Infantry. She was with the unit from puppyhood, licking the wounds of her human comrades and lifting their spirits,” says U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), Four-Legged Fighters, defense.gov publication. “Two months before the war's end, she died of a bullet wound on the front line. Years later, the 11th Pennsylvania Regimental Association built a statue in her honor at Gettysburg National Military Park.”
Another inspiring tale from the same publication highlights the bond between service members and their military working dogs: “A Marine Corps explosives detection dog, Lucca served deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan during her six-year career, leading nearly 400 patrols and identifying about 40 improvised explosive devices,” says U.S. DOD, Four-Legged Fighters, defense.gov publication. “Lucca was medically retired, but quickly adjusted to life with three limbs and a new home with her original handler. In 2016, she became the first U.S. military working dog to receive the Dickin Medal for animal valor.”
Maria Dickin, the founder of the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals, created the Dickin Medal in 1943 to honor animals' bravery in war. This bronze medallion is awarded to animals displaying "conspicuous gallantry or devotion to duty" in any branch of the Armed Forces or Civil Defense Units, and is the highest award any animal can receive while serving in the military.
Like his military working dog predecessors, Fleck has made a profound impact not only on MCAS Yuma but also the Marines and Sailors stationed here.
“During his service, Fleck has conducted demonstrations for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, ROTC Programs and college students for future career opportunities. He’s also searched various locations and swept areas for possible narcotics in a timely manner.” Said U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jayce Gilley, a military working dog handler with the Provost Marshal’s Office (PMO), Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron.
“Fleck has left a lasting legacy for his successors, I guess you could say he’s left his pawprint on PMO,” said Gilley.
Gilley has been working alongside Fleck as his handler for the last nine months to which they have grown a bond akin to family.
Gilley says, "working with military working dogs is like working with another family member, there are times where you’re not going to be on the same page. Sometimes you’re going to do something they don’t like and sometimes they’ll do something you don’t like.” Gilley reflects, “then there are these beautiful moments, where you will walk into a room and you both know what you're looking for, it’s smooth, it’s confident, it’s fluent. Days like that really make you fall in love with what you're doing and who you are doing it with.”
With Fleck’s retirement imminent, Gilly is in the process to adopt him, a meticulous process which includes background checks and an interview, discussing where the dog would stay, who and how the legal guardian would provide and care for them, to ensure Fleck’s well-being.
After Fleck retires from service he will head to a family farm, where he can enjoys acres of land.
Gilley concluded by saying, “Back home, Fleck is just as famous over there because of the stories I tell my father and he tells his friends. It’s a small town where everyone will support each other, including Fleck.”
For more information, please visit: https://www.mcasyuma.marines.mil/
| Date Taken: | 07.15.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 07.26.2024 13:38 |
| Story ID: | 476270 |
| Location: | YUMA, ARIZONA, US |
| Web Views: | 97 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
This work, Leaving a paw print: honoring Fleck, a military working dog, by LCpl Christian Radosti, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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