A barrage of missiles and drones targeting Prince Sultan Air Base injured U.S. service members and damaged aircraft critical to surveillance, air command, and air refueling in the Middle East.
Public reports are conflicting about the number of injured, with the number being said to be at least 10 and up to 12.
March 27 in Saudi Arabia prince sultan Iran’s missile and drone attacks targeting the air force base hit one of the key bases supporting U.S. air power deployment in the Middle East and injured U.S. service members. In addition to casualties, this offensive also damaged aircraft of high strategic value, such as the E-3 Sentry AWACS and aerial refueling tanker.
According to reports released so far, the number of injured is different. The Associated Press reported that at least 10 U.S. soldiers were injured in the attack, two of whom were in critical condition, and Reuters reported that there were 12 injured, with two also seriously injured. Air & Space Forces reported that at least one missile hit the base in this attack, and several drones were also used.
What makes this incident more serious is that Prince Sultan Air Base is used as a central base for surveillance, command, and aerial refueling operations in the region.
E-3 SentryIt is particularly noteworthy that the was damaged. This is because this aircraft is an essential platform for early warning, mission coordination, and battlefield control. Also damaged were aerial refueling tankers, which are critical to helping fighter jets and other air assets sustain operations for extended periods of time.
Indeed, this type of attack could temporarily undermine the United States’ ability to maintain a sustained air presence over sensitive areas of the Middle East.
The loss or inoperability of airborne command and control assets and airborne refueling capabilities impacts mission planning, inter-aircraft coordination, and airborne endurance times.
This incident also runs counter to the U.S. authorities’ recent assessment of Iran’s offensive capabilities. CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper said a few days ago that Iranian missile and drone launches have decreased by more than 90% since the conflict began on February 28.
Nonetheless, the March 27 attack shows that Tehran still maintains the means to strike U.S. military 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 @USAFCENT | USAF. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
