WASHINGTON: Three US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets were shot down over Kuwait in what American officials described as an apparent “friendly fire” incident during active combat operations amid conflict with Iran.
The US military said all six aircrew members ejected safely and were recovered.
The incident occurred at 7:03 a.m. local time on March 2 (11:03 p.m. ET on March 1), according to the US Central Command (CENTCOM).
In a statement, CENTCOM said the aircraft were flying in support of Operation Epic Fury, the ongoing US campaign against Iran, when they were mistakenly targeted by Kuwaiti air defences.
“During active combat — that included attacks from Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones — the US Air Force fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses,” CENTCOM said.
It described the episode as an “apparent” case of friendly fire.
“All six aircrew ejected safely, have been safely recovered, and are in stable condition,” the statement added.
“Kuwait has acknowledged this incident, and we are grateful for the efforts of the Kuwaiti defense forces and their support in this ongoing operation.”
CENTCOM said the cause of the incident is under investigation and that further details would be released as they become available.
Kuwait acknowledges incident
Kuwait’s defence ministry confirmed in the early hours of Monday that “several” US fighter jets had crashed but did not initially specify the number or cause.
Later, Kuwaiti and US officials said three aircraft were involved.
Kuwait’s defence ministry spokesperson, Colonel Said Al-Atwan, said relevant authorities “immediately initiated search-and-rescue operations”.
“The crews were evacuating from the crash sites and transferred to hospital to assess their condition and provided necessary medical care,” he said, adding that the aircrew were in “stable” condition.
Al-Atwan said Kuwait was in “direct coordination” with US authorities.
A US official told Air & Space Forces Magazine that the three aircraft were F-15E Strike Eagles and that all six aviators — three pilots and three weapons systems officers — had ejected safely.
First aircraft loss of operation
The downing marks the first reported US aircraft losses since Operation Epic Fury began on February 28 with a wave of joint US and Israeli air strikes on Iran.
Iran later retaliated with drones and missiles targeting military bases across the Middle East.
CENTCOM said more than 1,000 targets have been struck so far in the campaign, focusing on military facilities including command and control centres, Iranian naval assets, and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps headquarters.
Videos circulating on social media appear to show one of the F-15Es on fire and spiralling towards the ground before crashing.
Other footage shows aircrew ejecting and being recovered on the ground.
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Air & Space Forces Magazine said it had not independently verified the images.
CNN reported that it had geolocated one video showing a fighter jet crashing within about 10 kilometres of Ali Al Salem Air Base.
Another video appeared to show a pilot kneeling on the ground near an orange and white parachute in a desert area approximately 30 kilometres from the base.
In separate footage, a pilot was seen standing as bystanders looked on, with thick black smoke rising in the background.
