A missile and drone offensive against Prince Sultan Air Base left American soldiers injured and hit aircraft vital to surveillance, air command and aerial refueling in the Middle East.
Public reports vary on the total number of injured and state at least 10 and up to 12.
An Iranian attack with missiles and drones against Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia on March 27 hit one of the most important hubs of the US air military presence in the Middle East, leaving American soldiers injured. In addition to the casualties, the offensive also damaged aircraft of high strategic value, including an E-3 Sentry AWACS and aerial refueling aircraft.
The reports published so far vary as to the total number of injured. The Associated Press stated that the attack left at least 10 soldiers injured, two of whom were seriously injured, while Reuters reported 12 injured, also with two serious cases. The Air & Space Forces wrote that the attack included at least one missile strike on the base, in addition to the use of several drones.
The seriousness of the incident increases because Prince Sultan Air Base is used as a central point for surveillance, command and tank operations in the region.
The damage to a E-3 Sentry attracts attention because it is an important platform for early air warning, coordination of missions and control of the combat area. Damage was also reported to tanker aircraft, which are crucial to keeping combat aircraft and other air assets operational for extended periods.
In practice, an attack of this type could temporarily reduce the US ability to maintain a continuous air presence over sensitive areas in the Middle East.
The loss or unavailability of airborne command and refueling capabilities affects mission planning, coordination between aircraft and the time they can stay in the air.
The case also goes against the latest assessments from the US authorities about Iran’s offensive capacity. CENTCOM chief Admiral Brad Cooper said a few days earlier that Iranian missile and drone launches had dropped by more than 90% since the conflict began on February 28.
Nevertheless, the attack on 27 March shows that Tehran still has the ability to hit American positions and strategic resources 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 KI and reviewed by the editors.
