The U.S. Air Force has confirmed the total loss of an E-3G Sentry (AWACS) following a massive Iranian ballistic missile and drone barrage targeting Prince Sultan Air Base (PSAB) yesterday.
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA — The aircraft, tail number 81-0005, was a critical component of the 552nd Air Control Wing out of Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. It had been forward-deployed to the region as part of Operation Epic Fury.
Initial battle damage assessments suggest the attack was not a random bombardment. Imagery and reports from the ground indicate that the strike specifically targeted the rear section of the airframe—the location of the iconic rotating radar dome.
The destruction of the dome is a significant blow, as it houses the AN/APY-2 Surveillance Radar System. This sophisticated array of antennas and sensitive instruments provides the long-range “look-down” capability essential for managing complex theater operations and tracking low-flying cruise missiles and drones.
The destruction of 81-0005 marks a notable shift in the regional balance of power. With this loss, the U.S. Air Force’s active fleet of E-3 Sentries has dwindled from 16 to 15.
While the Air Force has been moving toward replacing the aging Sentry with the E-7 Wedgetail, the loss of a frontline E-3G during an active conflict creates an immediate gap in airborne early warning and battle management capabilities in the Middle East.
Pentagon officials have not yet released a formal statement regarding casualties or the specific type of munitions used in the strike. However, the precision required to disable the E-3’s radar suggests a high level of intelligence and coordination in the Iranian strike package.
The 552nd Air Control Wing is reportedly conducting a full investigation into the security breach at PSAB, as the E-3 is typically kept under heavy protection due to its high value and strategic importance.
