An American E-3 Sentry surveillance aircraft was destroyed during Iran’s latest strike on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, dealing a major setback to U.S. aerial monitoring capabilities in the region, according to U.S. officials and newly surfaced images.

Photos circulating online and confirmed by AFP show the E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft split apart after being hit in Friday’s combined missile and drone attack.

The loss of the aircraft — valued at approximately $270 million — significantly undermines the United States’ ability to track threats and maintain a real-time operational picture in the Middle East, retired Air Force Col. John Venable told The Wall Street Journal.

“It’s a huge deal,” he told the outlet. “It hurts the US’s ability to see what’s happening in the Gulf and maintain situational awareness.”

Before the strike, the U.S. Air Force had 16 E-3 Sentry planes in service, with six of them based at Prince Sultan Air Base, according to Air & Space Magazine.

U.S. Central Command has not yet issued a public statement regarding the attack.

In addition to the destruction of the aircraft, 12 American service members were reportedly injured when the base was hit by an Iranian missile barrage accompanied by drone strikes.

At least two of those wounded are said to be in serious condition, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing U.S. and Arab officials.

The attack also caused damage to multiple U.S. refueling aircraft stationed at the base. At least one KC-135 refueling plane was struck and reportedly caught fire, a senior U.S. official told Fox News.

Prince Sultan Air Base has come under repeated Iranian fire in recent weeks. Earlier this month, a separate strike damaged five refueling aircraft. Since the launch of Operation Epic Fury on Feb. 28, roughly 303 U.S. service members have been wounded and at least 13 killed, according to CENTCOM.

{Matzav.com}