Iranian attack on a US base in Saudi Arabia, a Boeing E-3G Sentry aircraft destroyed

A highly important and expensive United States aircraft has been completely destroyed in a coordinated missile and drone attack launched by Iran against Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. This attack, which occurred on March 27, 2026, resulted in the destruction of a Boeing E-3G Sentry aircraft, one of the primary Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft belonging to the US Air Force.

This marks the first time in history that an aircraft of this model has been destroyed in a combat zone, and it has reduced the number of active AWACS aircraft in the US inventory from 16 to 15.

The attack, launched using at least one ballistic missile and several drones, precisely targeted the main apron of the base and isolated runways where high-value aircraft were parked. The E-3G aircraft, tail number 81-0005, was completely incinerated in the attack, and ground-level photographs confirm severe damage to the aircraft's rear section, engines, and wings. Among the scattered debris, a section of the aircraft's tail marked "OK 0005" and an American flag can be seen. Additionally, several KC-135 Stratotanker refueling aircraft also sustained significant damage in the attack.

As a result of this massive attack, between 10 and 12 American service members inside the base buildings were injured, with several reported to be in serious condition. While the US Central Command (CENTCOM) has officially confirmed that military personnel were injured, it has not yet publicly commented on the damage to the aircraft. However, it has been confirmed that approximately six E-3 aircraft of this type were stationed at Prince Sultan Air Base prior to the attack.

An E-3 Sentry aircraft, designed with a 30-foot rotating radar dome mounted on a modified Boeing 707 airframe, has an enormous value of between 500 and 700 million US dollars. These aircraft are capable of conducting surveillance in any weather condition, identifying hundreds of airborne targets simultaneously from over 250 miles away, and providing real-time instructions to fighter jets. Prince Sultan Air Base, located southeast of Riyadh, has been a primary operational hub used by the United States and Saudi Arabia since 2019 to monitor activities in countries such as Iran, Yemen, Iraq, and Syria 24 hours a day.

Critics point out that this attack is a massive blow to American air power in the Middle East region. By targeting high-tech American aircraft within a heavily secured base, Iran has demonstrated the precision of its missiles and drones. The loss of such an aircraft from a region where approximately 40% of the American surveillance aircraft fleet was stationed during a period of heightened regional tension will directly impact future operations against Houthi rebels or other targets. Furthermore, this incident has intensified the need to rapidly introduce new E-7 Wedgetail aircraft into service to replace these older E-3 aircraft.