Photos Show Destroyed US AWACS Tail Blown Off in Saudi Arabia

By Nicole Ramirez San Diego, CA · SAUDI ARABIA —

Published Updated 2 min read

Leaked photos reveal a destroyed US E-3 Sentry aircraft with its tail blown off following an Iranian attack. Two US officials state Russian satellites may have shared intelligence with Tehran prior to the strikes.

SAUDI ARABIA — Leaked photos show the destroyed Boeing E-3 Sentry had its tail blown off, destroying the rotating radar used for midair intelligence.

Two US officials stated that Russian spy satellites may have passed information to Tehran after flying over areas with a US military presence. Satellite tracking data shows Russian satellites passed over targeted areas just prior to Iranian operations against those targets.

"This is Russian payback with interest," said Dr. Nawaf Obaid. He stated that Russia's reasoning for helping Iran is due to the US similarly assisting Ukraine in its efforts to strike Russian targets.

Why It Matters

The destruction of an AWACS aircraft represents a significant loss of airborne early warning and control capability for the United States. A Pentagon inspector general report stated that Iranian strikes damaged or destroyed hundreds of buildings and dozens of aircraft at U.S. bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, and Jordan.

The incident raises questions regarding intelligence sharing between state actors and the vulnerability of fixed military infrastructure. The alignment of satellite movements with subsequent strikes suggests a coordinated effort that challenges existing defensive postures in the Middle East.

Timeline

On March 27, 2026, Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia was struck by Iran. The official record states that on March 27, 2026, an Iranian missile and drone attack damaged an E-3 AWACS aircraft and refueling planes at Prince Sultan Air Base, wounding around 10 service members. The attack on Prince Sultan Air Base injured 12 US soldiers. A US Air Force Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft was destroyed during Iran's attack on Prince Sultan Air Base.

What's New

The official record states that on March 27, 2026, an Iranian missile and drone attack damaged an E-3 AWACS aircraft and refueling planes at Prince Sultan Air Base, wounding around 10 service members. Leaked photos show the destroyed Boeing E-3 Sentry at Prince Sultan Air Base had its tail blown off, destroying the rotating radar used for midair intelligence. A Pentagon inspector general report stated that Iranian strikes damaged or destroyed hundreds of buildings and dozens of aircraft at U.S. bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, and Jordan. Iranian is Western Iranian language. Nawaf Obaid is Saudi Arabian author and diplomat.

How Sources Differ

Reports differ on the number of casualties at Prince Sultan Air Base. One account states the attack wounded around 10 service members, while another reports that the attack injured 12 US soldiers. Sources also vary in their description of the aircraft damage.

One source notes the official record states an Iranian missile and drone attack damaged an E-3 AWACS aircraft and refueling planes, while another confirms a US Air Force Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft was destroyed. Further details from leaked photos indicate the destroyed Boeing E-3 Sentry had its tail blown off, destroying the rotating radar used for midair intelligence.

fact_check Facts

Relevance: primary · Type: action
Confidence100%
Two US officials stated that Russian spy satellites may have passed information to Tehran after flying over areas with a US military presence.
Relevance: primary · Type: event
Confidence100%
Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia was struck by Iran on March 27, 2026.
Relevance: primary · Type: event
Confidence100%
The attack on Prince Sultan Air Base injured 12 US soldiers.
Relevance: primary · Type: action
Confidence100%
Satellite tracking data shows Russian satellites passed over targeted areas just prior to Iranian operations against those targets.
Relevance: supporting · Type: background
Confidence100%
The Russian satellites involved included those used for detailed imagery, all-weather radio signal detection, infrared imaging, and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR).
Relevance: primary · Type: event
Confidence100%
A US Air Force Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft was destroyed during Iran's attack on Prince Sultan Air Base.
Nawaf Obaid, Saudi expert
Relevance: supporting · Type: quote
Confidence100%
"This is Russian payback with interest," said Dr. Nawaf Obaid.
Nawaf Obaid, Saudi expert
Relevance: supporting · Type: quote
Confidence100%
"It's monumental in terms of the consequences of what this has done, not just to the US's standing in the region, but to the security architecture of the region going forward," said Dr. Nawaf Obaid.
Relevance: supporting · Type: action
Confidence100%
Dr. Nawaf Obaid stated that Russia's reasoning for helping Iran is due to the US similarly assisting Ukraine in its efforts to strike Russian targets.

menu_book Background & Sources

Context and data added by our newsroom from primary and authoritative sources — not in the original wire report.

Iranian drone and missile attacks on US bases in the region occurred during Operation Epic Fury.
The official record states that on March 27, 2026, an Iranian missile and drone attack damaged an E-3 AWACS aircraft and refueling planes at Prince Sultan Air Base, wounding around 10 service members. [defence-blog.com](https://defence-blog.com/iranian-missile-hits-u-s-e-3-awacs-aircraft-at-saudi-base/)
Source: airandspaceforces.com
Leaked photos show the destroyed Boeing E-3 Sentry at Prince Sultan Air Base had its tail blown off, destroying the rotating radar used for midair intelligence.
A Pentagon inspector general report stated that Iranian strikes damaged or destroyed hundreds of buildings and dozens of aircraft at U.S. bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, and Jordan.
Iranian is Western Iranian language.
Prince Sultan Air Base was established in 1951.

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