IRGC Destroys US AWACS in Strike on Al-Kharj Air Base
Precision missile and drone operation cripples key US surveillance asset, as Iran intensifies strikes against American and Israeli military networks across West Asia.
Iran, PUREWILAYAH.COM — The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced the destruction of a US E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft during a coordinated missile and drone strike on Al-Kharj Air Base in Saudi Arabia, marking a significant escalation under Wave 86 of Operation True Promise 4.
In an official statement, the IRGC confirmed that the operation, carried out by its Aerospace Force, resulted in the complete destruction of at least one AWACS aircraft, while additional US military aircraft stationed at the base sustained heavy damage.
The strike was described as a direct response to ongoing US aggression, including earlier attacks targeting Iran’s aerial and defensive capabilities.
A Strategic Blow to US Air Dominance
The destruction of the E-3 Sentry represents a major blow to US command-and-control operations in the region. Known as one of the most critical airborne surveillance platforms in the American arsenal, the AWACS aircraft functions as a flying command center, coordinating air operations and battlefield awareness.
Operating at altitudes of up to 17 kilometers, the aircraft is equipped with advanced radar systems capable of monitoring vast areas of up to 310,000 square kilometers. It provides real-time intelligence on enemy aircraft, naval movements, and battlefield positioning, transmitting data to command centers and political leadership.
Often referred to as “America’s eyes in the sky,” the platform plays a central role in enabling US air superiority and operational coordination across conflict zones.
Each E-3 Sentry carries an estimated replacement cost of up to $700 million, underscoring the scale of the loss inflicted in the strike.
Wave 86: Coordinated Regional Assault
The IRGC launched Wave 86 of Operation True Promise 4 in tribute to martyred Lebanese journalists Fatima Ftouni, Ali Sheaib, and Mohammad Ftouni, who were killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting a clearly marked press vehicle.
According to the IRGC, the operation was carried out in multiple phases, combining coordinated missile and drone strikes across a wide geographical area.
In its initial phase, IRGC forces targeted infrastructure linked to US-Israeli aerial and drone operations, as well as weapons depots at key military installations including Victory base in Iraq, Arifjan base in Kuwait, and Al-Kharj base in Saudi Arabia.
Subsequent strikes expanded to hit US forces and Israeli occupation positions across Arad, Naqab, Tel Aviv, Erbil, the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, and Al Dhafra base in the UAE.
The IRGC stated that footage from the operation shows large-scale explosions, rising plumes of smoke, and the destruction of high-value US military assets, countering efforts by Western-aligned governments and media to obscure the true scale of the losses.
From Assassinating Truth to Battlefield Response
The IRGC emphasized that Wave 86 was dedicated to journalists martyred by Israeli strikes, framing the operation as both a military response and a message against attempts to silence the truth.
The killing of media personnel, alongside continued attacks on civilians, has been described by resistance forces as part of a broader campaign by the Israeli occupation to suppress narratives that expose its actions.
In this context, the destruction of strategic US assets signals a widening confrontation, where military retaliation is increasingly tied to acts of aggression against civilians and independent reporting.
Escalation Signals New Phase of Confrontation
The targeting of a high-value AWACS platform highlights a shift in the operational depth and precision of Iran’s response, directly challenging US surveillance dominance in the region.
By striking advanced command-and-control systems and expanding attacks across multiple fronts, the IRGC has demonstrated an evolving capability to disrupt the military architecture supporting both US forces and the Israeli occupation.
Wave 86 thus marks not only a continuation of Operation True Promise 4, but a clear escalation in the scale, coordination, and strategic impact of resistance operations across West Asia. (PW)