A missile and drone offensive against Prince Sultan Air Base has injured US servicemen and hit aircraft critical to surveillance, air command and air refueling in the Middle East.
Public sources differ on the total number of injured, indicating at least 10 and up to 12.
An Iranian attack with missiles and drones against the Prince Sultan Air Base, in Saudi Arabia, on March 27, hit one of the main centers of the US air presence in the Middle East and injured American soldiers. In addition to casualties, the offensive also damaged aircraft of high strategic value, including an E-3 Sentry AWACS and air-to-air refueling aircraft.
Reports released so far vary on the overall number of injured. The Associated Press reported that the attack caused at least 10 injuries among the soldiers, including two in serious condition, while Reuters spoke of 12 injuries, again with two serious cases. Air & Space Forces published that the action resulted in at least one missile impact on the base, in addition to the deployment of multiple drones.
The severity of the incident increases because Prince Sultan Air Base is used as a central point for surveillance, command and supply operations in the region.
The damage to a E-3 Sentry it draws attention because it is an essential platform for early air warning, mission coordination and battlespace control. Furthermore, tanker planes, essential for keeping fighters and other assets in operation for long periods, were also damaged.
In practice, such an attack may temporarily reduce the United States’ ability to maintain a continuous air presence over sensitive areas of the Middle East.
The loss or unavailability of airborne command and air refueling assets affects mission planning, coordination between aircraft and time in the air.
The case also contradicts US authorities’ recent assessments of Iran’s offensive capability. CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper had said a few days earlier that Iranian missile and drone launches had fallen by more than 90% since the conflict began on February 28.
Despite this, the March 27 attack indicates that Tehran still retains means to strike US positions and strategic assets in the region.
Pictures show the total loss of 81-0005, an E-3G “Sentry” Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) Aircraft with the U.S. Air Force’s 552nd Air Control Wing based out of Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, following yesterday’s Iranian ballistic missile and drone attack on Prince… pic.twitter.com/NNnILybnrU
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) March 29, 2026
Source and images: X @sentdefender | X @USAFCENT | USAF. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
