Look at what Iran has been hitting since Feb. 28: radar systems, SATCOM terminals, tankers, and now an AWACS. That's not random.
It's a systematic attack on the infrastructure that makes U.S. air power function. Iran's running an asymmetric counter-air campaign. A 🧵.
It's a systematic attack on the infrastructure that makes U.S. air power function. Iran's running an asymmetric counter-air campaign. A 🧵.
2/ Since Feb. 28, Iran has hit radar and SATCOM infrastructure at 7+ U.S. bases across Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, targeting the systems used to track incoming missiles and coordinate the entire air defense network.
nytimes.com/2026/03/03/wor…
nytimes.com/2026/03/03/wor…
3/ Yesterday, Iran hit Prince Sultan Air Base again, damaging an E-3 Sentry AWACS and multiple KC-135 tankers. Same base was hit March 13, when five KC-135s were damaged on the flight line.
4/ These aren't targets of opportunity. Tankers and AWACS are the logistics and command layer of the entire air war.
5/ The USAF only has 16 E-3s. Nearly 40% deployed to this theater. No replacement in production (E-7 A prototype in ~2028). Boeing delivered the last one in 1992.
The KC-135 fleet is Cold War-era, already under extreme strain, with parts sourced from boneyards.
The KC-135 fleet is Cold War-era, already under extreme strain, with parts sourced from boneyards.
6/ BL: Iran's going after the radars that detect threats, the tankers that keep jets flying, and the AWACS that direct the battle.
That's a counter-air campaign. Adapted to what Iran can actually do. And the damage is real.
That's a counter-air campaign. Adapted to what Iran can actually do. And the damage is real.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
