Remembering Cpl. David Sonka and MPC Flex
Cpl. David Sonka
Sonka, a dedicated patriot moved by the actions of 9/11, signed with the Marine Corps in 2008, a week after he turned 18. Sonka finished all his initial entry training and was assigned to Third Marine Expeditionary Force K9 in 29 Palms as a Patrol Explosive Detector Dog handler. He was paired with a dog named Falco. Together, they were deployed in May, 2011 to Afghanistan, supporting SOF personnel in Helmand Province. After that deployment he was hand selected to become a dog handler for Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC). He re-enlisted in October 2012 to accept the position and was paired with, Flex. They both completed the MPC training courses in December, 2012. On March 31st, 2013, David and MPC Flex were deployed to Farah Province, Afghanistan with Marine Special Operations Team 8223. On May 4th, 2013 David and Flex were providing overwatch for a meeting between SOF and Afghan military personnel, when an Afghan Army soldier opened fire, mortally wounding them both and another Marine, Eric Damon Christian.
Cpl. Sonka’s passion for the Marines and being a K9 handler was evident in his dedication and hard work over the course of his career, sometimes sleeping with the dogs in their kennels and training on his days off. A testament to his legacy, the MARSOC K9 Training Facility at Camp Lejeune was named after David and was dedicated on September 7, 2015. The Town of Parker, Colorado named its Dog Park after David. It was Dedicated on June 14, 2017. David was selected for inclusion in the Second Honor Bell on March 2, 2025.
MPC Flex
Flex was a Belgian Malinois, born on December 26, 2010. He was a Multi-Purpose Canine (MPC) who served with the Marine Special Operation Command (MARSOC). He was teamed with Handler Corporal David Sonka in the Fall of 2012, and they graduated together from MPC School on December 21. A quote from Robert Throneburg, a Vietnam K9 Handler, sums up Flex, “Brave beyond words. Ferocious without self-regard. Bonds never broken. Loyal till death. Defender of the night. He was a war dog.”