Missile and drone attacks on Prince Sultan Air Base left American military personnel injured and hit aircraft that are critical to surveillance, air command and mid-air refueling in the Middle East.
Public reports differ on the number of injured, with the figure being at least 10 to 12 people.
Iran attacks using missiles and drones on air bases Prince Sultanin Saudi Arabia, on March 27, hitting one of the main centers of the United States air presence in the Middle East and leaving American military personnel injured. Apart from causing casualties, the attack also damaged aircraft of high strategic value, including an E-3 Sentry AWACS and a mid-air refueling aircraft.
Reports published so far differ regarding the total number of injured. The Associated Press reported that the attack left at least 10 military personnel injured, with two of them in serious condition, while Reuters reported 12 injuries, also with two serious cases. The Air & Space Forces said the attack involved at least one missile hit on the base, in addition to the use of several drones.
The seriousness of this incident is increased because Prince Sultan Air Base is used as the main point for surveillance, command and refueling operations in the region.
Damage to E-3 Sentry attracts attention because these platforms are critical for airborne early warning, mission coordination, and combat space control. Tanker aircraft also experienced damage, even though this asset is very important for keeping fighter aircraft and other assets operational for a long time.
In practice, attacks like these could temporarily reduce the United States’ ability to maintain a persistent air presence in sensitive areas of the Middle East.
The loss or unavailability of air command and refueling assets impacts mission planning, inter-aircraft coordination, and length of stay in the air.
The case also runs counter to American officials’ recent assessments of Iran’s offensive capabilities. CENTCOM Commander, Adm. Brad Cooper, said days earlier that Iran’s missile and drone launches had fallen by more than 90% since the start of the conflict on February 28.
However, the March 27 attack demonstrated that Tehran still has the capability to hit 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 image: X @sentdefender | X @USAFCENT | USAF. This content is created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
