A missile and drone offensive against Prince Sultan Air Base left American soldiers wounded and hit aircraft vital to surveillance, air command and aerial refueling in the Middle East.
Public reports differ on the total number of injured, putting at least 10 and up to 12.
An Iranian attack with missiles and drones against Prince Sultan The air base in Saudi Arabia on March 27 hit one of the main hubs of the US air military presence in the Middle East, leaving US soldiers injured. In addition to the losses, the offensive also damaged aircraft of high strategic value, including an E-3 Sentry AWACS and aerial refueling aircraft.
The reports that have been published so far vary in their assessment of the total number of injured. The Associated Press said the attack left at least 10 soldiers wounded, two of them seriously, while Reuters reported 12 wounded, also with two serious cases. The Air & Space Forces wrote that the attack included at least one missile strike on the base as well as the use of several drones.
The seriousness of the episode is increased by the fact that Prince Sultan Air Base is used as a central point for surveillance, command and refueling operations in the region.
The damage to a E-3 Sentry is attracting attention because it is an essential platform for early air warning, mission coordination and control of the battle area. Damage was also reported to refueling aircraft, which are critical to keeping fighter jets 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 assets affects mission planning, coordination between aircraft, and time in the air.
The case also contradicts the latest assessments by US authorities about Iran’s offensive capabilities. CENTCOM chief Admiral Brad Cooper said a few days earlier that Iranian missile and drone launches had dropped by more than 90% since the start of the conflict on February 28.
Still, the March 27 attack shows that Tehran still retains the ability 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
+ Spy planes from the United States that were born during the Cold War are still in service
Source and images: X @sentdefender | X @USAFCENT | USAF. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editors.
