The Pentagon and U.S. Central Command say three U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses on Monday amid ongoing combat operations tied to the broader Middle East conflict involving Iran. The U.S. military characterized the episode as an apparent friendly-fire incident.
According to the official statement, the jets were flying in active combat conditions that included attacks from Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones when Kuwait’s air defense systems engaged and inadvertently struck them. All six U.S. crew members aboard the three aircraft ejected safely and were recovered in stable condition, U.S. Central Command said.
Kuwait acknowledged the error, and both countries have agreed to conduct a joint investigation into the circumstances surrounding the downings, officials said. Kuwait’s defense forces had initiated search-and-rescue efforts and evacuated the crews to medical facilities for evaluation.
The incident occurred as military operations in the region have intensified following recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets and subsequent Iranian retaliation with missile and drone attacks toward U.S. positions and allied territories. The confusion highlights the risks of operating in a high-threat, multi-actor airspace environment where allied forces are engaged in complex combat operations.
U.S. military officials emphasized that, while the event is under investigation, the safe ejection and recovery of all crew members was a priority and reflects the effectiveness of training and equipment under combat conditions.
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We need to send Kuwait a bill for those lost fighters and the care for those six airmen. Seriously, they have a lot of money, but not too many brains, in Kuwait.