New photos obtained exclusively by CBS News reveal extensive damage to U.S. positions in the Middle East due to Iranian missile and drone attacks. These images, shared by active service members who requested anonymity, expose the current situation that has not been widely publicized.
According to a deployed service member, “This is major damage to our bases that hasn’t been communicated to the American public. We’re standing there with our eyes closed getting punched in the face.” This statement underscores the gravity of the situation that service members experience firsthand.
Visual evidence includes pictures from Prince Sultan Air Force Base in Saudi Arabia. One image shows a Boeing E-3 Sentry aircraft with its tail severed. This aircraft is essential for intelligence gathering, making this hit significant.
“The aftermath is grim,” said a service member.
Photos from Camp Buehring in Kuwait, another strategic location, show hollowed-out buildings next to intact “T-wall” structures. These walls, once considered critical against ground attacks, failed against aerial threats. Further images depict similar destruction at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait, a hub for U.S. ground troops.
The Defense Department’s inspector general released a report on the ongoing conflict with Iran. It cited equipment losses nearing $3.7 billion, including nearly 60 aircraft. The report, mandatory for Congress, noted Iranian strikes in various countries, including Kuwait, Bahrain, and Iraq.
Despite requests for comment, the Pentagon remained silent. A member of the service stated, “These are not ‘squirters’ getting through,” referring to language used by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. This emphasizes the lack of active defense at these bases and the resultant destruction.
Overall, these insights demonstrate the ongoing challenges and significant impacts faced by U.S. forces in the region.