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.
With a shrinking fleet and growing operational demand, Air Force Special Operations Command sees the new OA-1K combat scout aircraft as key to a “new era,” officials say.