A US Air Force E-3 Sentry AWACS command and control plane was damaged in a March 27 Iranian missile and drone attack on Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, leaving over 10 service members injured.
The attack also damaged aerial refueling tankers, and photos have surfaced showing major damage to the plane.
The E-3 Sentry AWACS is crucial for managing the battlefield in major conflicts, providing command and control, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities.
Experts believe the loss of this aircraft could hamper the Air Force's ability to manage battlefields and create gaps in battlespace awareness and management.
The loss of the E-3 could also lead to missed opportunities to target Iranian forces and place a greater burden on the remaining AWACS, potentially burning them out faster.
