An Iranian missile and drone strike on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia destroyed a U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system aircraft on March 27, marking a significant loss for American surveillance capabilities in the region.

Images circulating on social media, verified by news agencies including AFP and geolocated by CNN to the central Saudi base using a March 11 satellite photo, show the aircraft's tail severed from the fuselage and its distinctive rotating radar dome collapsed on the ground. The attack also wounded 12 U.S. service members, two of them seriously, according to a U.S. official who spoke to Reuters. Several U.S. refueling aircraft sustained damage as well.

The E-3 Sentry, often called the 'eyes in the sky,' serves as a vital airborne command post capable of tracking hundreds of targets across vast areas, directing fighter jets, and providing real-time battlefield coordination. With only about 17 operational in the U.S. fleet, down from higher numbers decades ago due to age and retirements, the loss represents a serious blow, analysts say. Replacing it poses challenges, as the Air Force transitions to newer platforms like the E-7 Wedgetail, which could cost hundreds of millions per unit.

This incident is part of a broader Iranian campaign targeting U.S. enablers such as radars, tankers, and AWACS planes since the war began on February 28, when U.S. and Israeli forces initiated operations against Iran. More than 300 U.S. personnel have been wounded and 13 killed in action across the region since then. Prince Sultan was previously struck on March 14, damaging five KC-135 refueling planes.

President Donald Trump dismissed reports that Russia may have aided Iran with satellite imagery of the base, calling such intelligence-sharing inconsequential during a dignified transfer ceremony for fallen U.S. troops. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed Russian satellites imaged the site multiple times before the attack, sharing the data with Tehran. Trump threatened to obliterate Iran's key oil export facilities if Tehran does not end its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and seek peace.

Military experts warn that the destruction could create gaps in U.S. monitoring of Iranian threats, complicating air defense and combat operations. 'It's a serious blow to surveillance capabilities,' said retired Air Force Col. Cedric Leighton, who has flown on the E-3. Former F-16 pilot Heather Penney described AWACS as essential battle managers, while King's College London's Andreas Krieg noted Iran's strategy of gradual degradation of U.S. early warning systems.

The U.S. has not detailed plans for retaliation specific to this strike, but White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt affirmed commitment to objectives under Operation Epic Fury. Saudi officials have not publicly commented on the latest attack.