Three United States Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defences early Monday morning during an intense period of active combat. Despite the loss of the multimillion-dollar aircraft, US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that all six aircrew members ejected safely and have been recovered in stable condition.
The incident occurred at approximately 11:03 p.m. ET on March 1 (0403 GMT, March 2) as the jets were flying in support of Operation Epic Fury, a joint U.S.-Israeli offensive against Iran. According to official reports, the aircraft were operating in a highly congested battlespace involving simultaneous attacks from Iranian ballistic missiles, drones, and fixed-wing aircraft.
"The U.S. Air Force fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defences during active combat," CENTCOM stated in a press release. The command noted that Kuwait has officially acknowledged the error, and an investigation into the cause of the misidentification—including potential malfunctions in the aircrafts' Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems—is currently underway.
Social media footage geolocated to the Al Jahra area, approximately 10 kilometres from Ali Al Salem Air Base, captured the moment one of the Strike Eagles spiralled toward the ground in flames. Witnesses reported seeing multiple parachutes as the crews, which each consist of a pilot and a weapons systems officer, abandoned the falling jets.
Kuwait’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that the crews were evacuated and transferred to a medical facility for evaluation. In a statement to local media, Kuwaiti officials emphasised that "direct coordination" with US forces is ongoing to prevent future mishaps.
The friendly fire event marks a significant complication on the third day of a rapidly escalating conflict. Operation Epic Fury began on February 28, 2026, with the stated goal of targeting Iranian leadership and nuclear infrastructure. The chaos of the regional response has placed immense pressure on Gulf partners, who are simultaneously attempting to intercept incoming Iranian munitions.
Despite the accident, US officials expressed gratitude for Kuwait’s assistance in the recovery of the downed airmen and for their continued role in the coalition's regional defence.
