Trending Now - Iranian Attack Destroys US E-3 Sentry Plane at Saudi Base
WHO:
The Times of Israel - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russian satellites took images of the Prince Sultan Air Base on March 20th, March 23rd, and March 25th, indicating an attack was being planned.
The Times of Israel - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russian satellites provided Iran with intelligence to target US forces in the Middle East.
Al Jazeera - Ebrahim Zolfaghari, spokesperson for Iran’s central military headquarters
Al Jazeera - Retired US Air Force Colonel John Venable
Al Jazeera - Heather Penney, former F-16 pilot and director of studies and research at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
Al Jazeera - Kelly Grieco, defense policy expert and senior fellow at the Stimson Center think tank
Al Jazeera - John Phillips, British safety, security and risk adviser and former military chief instructor
White House - Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary
WHAT:
The Times of Israel - The Iranian attack on March 28th, 2026, resulted in the destruction of one KC-135 refueling aircraft and damaged three others, rendering them out of service.
The Times of Israel - The attack on March 28th, 2026, wounded at least 15 American soldiers, with five in serious condition.
The Times of Israel - The destruction of the E-3 Sentry aircraft marks the first combat loss of this type of aircraft in the ongoing conflict.
The Times of Israel - The E-3 Sentry aircraft is valued at approximately $270 million.
The Times of Israel - The US Air Force has sent six E-3 Sentry aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East during the conflict.
The Times of Israel - The Iranian attack on March 28th, 2026, heavily damaged the Boeing E-3 Sentry, an Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft, which uses advanced radar to track aircraft and missiles from hundreds of kilometers away.
The Times of Israel - The US reportedly only had 16 operational E-3 Sentry planes before the attack, down from a fleet of around 30 decades ago.
The Times of Israel - The nearest replacement for the E-3 Sentry, the E-7 Wedgetail, is projected to cost $700 million.
The Times of Israel - The attack on March 28th, 2026, wounded 12 US service members.
The Times of Israel - Since the war with Iran began on February 28th, 2026, more than 300 US service members have been wounded.
Al Jazeera - The Iranian attack on March 28th, 2026, destroyed one KC-135 refueling aircraft and damaged three others, rendering them out of service.
The Washington Post - The US and Israel have fired 850 Tomahawk missiles since the beginning of the conflict, with the remaining supply in the Middle East described as "alarmingly low."
The Washington Post - At least 13 US service members have been killed during combat operations since the war began on February 28th, 2026, with approximately 200 wounded.
Al Jazeera - Iran has reported at least 1,900 fatalities and over 18,000 injuries among its population due to the ongoing conflict, according to local health authorities.
NY Post - An Iranian attack destroyed a US E-3 Sentry aircraft at Prince Sultan Air Base.
Al Jazeera - The US Air Force had 16 E-3 Sentry aircraft in active inventory prior to the attack.
Al Jazeera - At least 15 American soldiers were wounded in the attack, with five in serious condition.
Al Jazeera - The attack also damaged multiple KC-135 tankers.
Al Jazeera - The destruction of the E-3 Sentry is the most significant loss of a US Armed Forces aircraft in the ongoing conflict.
Al Jazeera - Since the war began, the US has reportedly lost 12 MQ-9 Reaper drones.
WHERE:
Al Jazeera - The attack occurred at Prince Sultan Air Base, located about 96 kilometers (60 miles) southeast of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Al Jazeera - The Al Udeid base in Qatar also came under attack during the conflict.
WHEN:
The Times of Israel - The attack on the E-3 Sentry occurred on March 28th, 2026, which is one month after the US and Israel began their air assault on Iran on February 28th, 2026.
Al Jazeera - The attack on the E-3 Sentry occurred on March 28th, 2026.
Al Jazeera - The US and Israel began their air assault on Iran on February 28th, 2026.
Al Jazeera - An earlier attack on March 13th, 2026, damaged five KC-135 refueling aircraft.
WHY:
The Times of Israel - The attack on the E-3 Sentry is part of Iran's strategy to counter US airpower and disrupt its command and control capabilities.
Al Jazeera - Iran's attacks are a response to the US and Israeli air assault on Iran, aiming to counter US assets in Gulf countries.
HOW:
The Times of Israel - The Iranian attack involved at least one missile and several drones targeting US assets at the Prince Sultan Air Base, according to reports.
The Times of Israel - The Iranian attack involved at least one missile and several drones targeting US assets at the Prince Sultan Air Base.
Al Jazeera - The Pentagon is preparing for weeks of limited ground operations in Iran, potentially including raids on Kharg Island and coastal sites near the Strait of Hormuz.
Al Jazeera - The Iranian attack involved missiles and drones targeting US assets at the airbase.
Al Jazeera - The E-3 Sentry is critical for managing battle space and tracking aerial threats, with a radar range of over 375 kilometers (250 miles).
(UPDATED March 30, 2026 11:17 UTC)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed that Russian satellites captured images of the Prince Sultan Air Base March 20th, 23rd, and 25th, suggesting preparations for an attack. on Saturday, an Iranian assault resulted in the destruction of one KC-135 refueling aircraft and damage to three others, while at least 15 American soldiers were wounded, with five in serious condition. Reports indicate that the attack involved at least one missile and several drones targeting U.S. assets at the base.
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(UPDATED March 30, 2026 07:18 UTC)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed that Russian satellites provided Iran with intelligence to target US forces in the Middle East. on Saturday, Iran launched an attack involving at least one missile and several drones that resulted in the destruction of an E-3 Sentry aircraft, marking the first combat loss of this type in the ongoing conflict and valued at approximately $270 million. This incident is part of Iran's strategy to counter US airpower and disrupt its command and control capabilities, as the US Air Force has deployed six E-3 Sentry aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East during the conflict.
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(UPDATED March 29, 2026 21:03 UTC)
on Saturday, an Iranian attack heavily damaged a Boeing E-3 Sentry aircraft, which is crucial for tracking aircraft and missiles, and resulted in injuries to 12 US service members. This incident comes as the US has seen a significant reduction in its fleet of operational E-3 Sentry planes, now down to just 16 from around 30 in previous decades. Since the onset of the war with Iran February 28th, over 300 US service members have sustained injuries.
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(UPDATED March 29, 2026 19:09 UTC)
on Saturday, an Iranian attack destroyed one KC-135 refueling aircraft and damaged three others, putting them out of service. Since the conflict began February 28th, at least 13 US service members have been killed and around 200 wounded, while Iran reports at least 1,900 fatalities and over 18,000 injuries among its population. The Pentagon is now preparing for weeks of limited ground operations in Iran, which may include raids on Kharg Island and coastal sites near the Strait of Hormuz.
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(UPDATED March 29, 2026 17:07 UTC)
An Iranian attack on Saturday destroyed a US E-3 Sentry aircraft at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, marking the most significant loss of a US Armed Forces aircraft in the ongoing conflict. At least 15 American soldiers were wounded, with five in serious condition, while the attack also damaged multiple KC-135 tankers. The assault, which involved missiles and drones, is part of Iran's response to the US and Israeli air assault that began February 28th, aiming to counter US assets in Gulf countries.