Illustrative image. (U.S. Air Force/Christopher Okula)
A KC-46 Pegasus aircraft of the United States Air Force was destroyed in the March 27 Iranian attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, a satellite image shared by aviation journalist Babak Taghvaee on April 8 revealed.
Prince Sultan, located in the heart of the kingdom, has been serving as a major hub for American aerial operations against Iran.
The Pegasus is an aerial refueling and strategic transport aircraft developed by Boeing from its 767 jet airliner. It entered service first in 2013. The price of the aircraft is not public, but it is estimated to be anywhere from over $100 million, to just under $300 million.
The latest satellite image from Prince Sultan revealed that at least one Pegasus was destroyed there. The aircraft lost its entire nose section.
— Babak Taghvaee – The Crisis Watch (@BabakTaghvaee1) April 7, 2026
The same Iranian missile and drone attack destroyed an U.S. Air Force E-3G Sentry airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft and damaged another. An older KC-135 Stratotanker was also destroyed. Several other aircraft were damaged, although details remain scarce.
In addition to these material losses, the attack on the air base wounded at least 15 American troops, including five seriously.
Prince Sultan was targeted several more times before the U.S. and Iran agreed on a two-week ceasefire on April 7. American losses at the air base may be worth well over half a billion dollars. Furthermore, the loss of the E-3Gs likely had a direct impact on American aerial operations against the Islamic Republic.
Both the U.S. and Saudi Arabia have clearly both failed to protect the key air base, just 96 kilometers away from the capital, Riyadh.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence
NOW hosted at southfront.press
Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org.
The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation
Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com
k-e-r-b-o-o-m! coconuts all round!
good shot iran. one less usaf tanker to fuel combat aircraft, that should curb their illegal bombing raids.
fake news!
what’s a refueling tanker good for when you’re in slingshot range of designated targets?
hai iran . stiu ca poti . dale-o prin gura un pic mai mult , ca merita ..
russia a superpower they can’t find a comedian z
iran will be a target again with in 6 months this time the usa will need 80 days of support and better protection for its aircraft
the communist party of china, the people’s republic of china, the people’s liberation army, the people’s liberation army navy, the people’s liberation army air force and the people’s liberation army rocket force, must be chuckling.
american bases can not longer operate with impunity across the globe. they are easy to disable and wonderful targets for hypersonic missile and drone testing. fire away !
ships can no longer get in range to support aircraft and bases. the air force is forced to use easily targeted refueling tankers to supply its diminishing air force. expending more assets brings no cure to battle losses. well hidden truths to the american and eu populations that are not to be shared openly