WSJ: Five US refueling planes damaged in Iranian strike on Saudi base

Five US Air Force refueling planes were struck and damaged on the ground at the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday, citing two US officials. The newspaper said the tankers were damaged but not destroyed and are being repaired, without reporting any casualties. The tankers were hit during an Iranian missile strike on the base in recent days, according to sources, though US Central Command declined to comment.

Mounting losses

The incident brings the number of US Air Force refueling planes damaged or destroyed to at least seven in the war with Iran that the US and Israel launched Feb. 28. The report follows the collision Thursday of two Air Force KC-135 tankers, which caused one to crash. All six crew members aboard were killed, the Pentagon confirmed Friday. A US service member also died after being seriously injured during an attack at the Saudi base on March 1.

Regional campaign

Iran has targeted US troops and military equipment at bases across the region in response to "Operation Epic Fury," the joint US-Israeli campaign against Tehran that has killed over 1,300 people, according to Iranian authorities, including former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The strikes on Prince Sultan Air Base, which hosts significant US forces, demonstrate Iran's continued ability to hit American assets despite ongoing US and Israeli air campaigns.

Strategic impact

The damage to refueling aircraft could affect US air operations in the region, as tankers are critical for extending the range of fighter and bomber aircraft conducting strikes on Iranian targets. The loss of six crew members in the tanker collision also represents a significant personnel blow to the Air Force.