Prince Sultan Air Base
Major Saudi Arabian military facility near Al Kharj, approximately 80 km south of Riyadh. Hosts US Air Force aerial refuelling and support aircraft. Known as PSAB.
Last refreshed: 29 March 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
If Iran can hit the base fuelling US airstrikes from Saudi soil, what does that mean for Saudi Arabia's neutrality?
Latest on Prince Sultan Air Base
- What is Prince Sultan Air Base?
- A major Saudi military facility near Al Kharj, 80 km south of Riyadh. It hosts the US Air Force's 378th Air Expeditionary Wing and serves as the primary aerial refuelling and logistics hub for US and Israeli air operations over Iran.
- Was Prince Sultan Air Base attacked by Iran?
- Yes, twice. The first strike on 27 March 2026 wounded 10+ US troops and damaged tanker aircraft. A second strike damaged aircraft critical to the Kharg Island campaign. Saudi Arabia subsequently opened King Fahd Air Base to absorb additional US forces.Source: event
- How many US troops have been wounded in the Iran war?
- US wounded passed 315 by late March 2026, with traumatic brain injuries going unreported in official figures. Prince Sultan Air Base accounted for a significant share of casualties.Source: event
- What is the difference between Prince Sultan and Al Udeid air bases?
- Both are major US forward bases in the Gulf. PSAB in Saudi Arabia hosts aerial refuelling; Al Udeid in Qatar hosts CENTCOM's forward headquarters. Iran has struck both during the 2026 conflict.
Background
Located near Al Kharj, 80 km south of Riyadh, PSAB is operated by the Royal Saudi Air Force and hosts the US Air Force's 378th Air Expeditionary Wing. The base served as a major hub during the 1991 Gulf War and Operation Iraqi Freedom, was vacated by US forces in 2003, and reactivated as a forward staging base for the current conflict.
Iran struck Prince Sultan Air Base twice in the 2026 conflict. The first attack on 27 March wounded at least 10 US service members and damaged aerial refuelling tankers critical to air operations over Iran . A second strike damaged aircraft critical to the Kharg Island campaign , after which Saudi Arabia opened King Fahd Air Base to additional US forces .
The strikes forced Saudi Arabia's hand: the Kingdom had sought to avoid direct involvement while hosting US forces. US wounded across the conflict passed 315, with traumatic brain injuries going unreported . Every Iranian strike on PSAB tightens the vice on Riyadh's neutrality.
