Maj. Kevin H. Sonnenberg, 42, a pilot with the Ohio Air National Guard’s 180th Fighter Wing in Toledo, was killed June 15 when his F-16 crashed north of Baghdad during a close air support mission, per official news sources. The Toledo Blade reports that Sonnenberg was due to return soon from deployment to Balad Air Base, along with other wing airmen. There was no immediate word as to the cause of the crash. USAF has an investigation underway.
The U.S. military is sending more fighter jets to the Middle East to step up its war with Iran, adding to what is already the largest buildup of airpower in the region since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. For now, the operation shows little sign of coming to a quick…