Iran strikes Prince Sultan AB — E-3 Sentry AWACS destroyed, 12 US troops wounded, refueling aircraft damaged
Iranian missile and drone attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia wounded 12 US servicemembers (2 seriously) and destroyed a Boeing E-3 Sentry AWACS (serial 81-0005). The WSJ and online OSINT footage confirm the AWACS loss — the US reportedly had only 16 operational E-3 Sentries before the attack; the nearest replacement, the E-7 Wedgetail, costs ~$700M per unit. Multiple refueling aircraft also damaged.
Actor responses
Iran has not officially claimed the Prince Sultan Air Base strike. The attack involved both a ballistic missile and drones — consistent with IRGC operational signature. Iran has previously struck the same base (March 1 attack killed Sgt. Pennington days later).
IRGC has not officially claimed the Prince Sultan strike. The combined missile+drone attack pattern matches IRGC precision strike doctrine. Targeting US refueling aircraft demonstrates Iran's intent to degrade coalition air campaign logistics.
US official confirmed attack to WSJ (anonymously): 'An Iranian attack wounded US troops and damaged several planes at a Saudi air base... the strike damaged several US refueling aircraft on the base.' CENTCOM has not issued a formal statement. Pennington identified as fatality from the March 1 attack on the same base.
IDF has not commented on the Prince Sultan attack. Saudi Arabia is not an Israeli operational partner in the campaign but is a US host nation critical to the air campaign logistics.
Sources
Related signals (1)
New image reportedly showing the USAF E-3 Sentry destroyed in an Iranian attack at Prince Sultan Airbase on Friday. Matches 81-0005, an E-3C seen deployed to the base in recent weeks.