Three U.S. F-15 Jets Downed by Kuwaiti Air Defenses in Friendly Fire Incident . Three U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets were shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses in a friendly fire incident during ongoing combat operations linked to Operation Epic Fury, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed. The incident occurred Sunday at approximately 11:03 p.m. ET (7:00 a.m. local Kuwait time) while the aircraft were engaged in intercepting Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones.
All six crew members, two per aircraft, ejected safely and were recovered in stable condition. CENTCOM acknowledged Kuwait’s cooperation and said the cause of the incident is under investigation. Kuwaiti authorities confirmed the aircrew’s safety and said search-and-rescue measures were immediately activated. Video footage from the Al Jahra area west of Kuwait City showed at least one jet falling and a parachute descending, while responders assisted a pilot on the ground.
Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, confirmed the loss of the jets at a Pentagon briefing, emphasizing the crews’ safety and clarifying the aircraft were not hit by enemy fire. Iranian state media claimed responsibility, but U.S. officials rejected that assertion. The F-15E Strike Eagle, a twin-seat fighter capable of air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, is a key U.S. strike platform. The incident highlights challenges in identification and allied coordination, as Kuwait’s Patriot air defense system mistakenly engaged allied aircraft during active operations.
