All six aircrew aboard three US fighter jets survived after ejecting safely when their aircraft were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defences during active combat operations over the country, American military authorities have confirmed.
US Central Command issued a statement confirming the incident took place at 11:03pm Eastern Time on 1 March, when three F-15E Strike Eagles operating in support of Operation Epic Fury were brought down over Kuwait. “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 defences,” the statement read.
Video footage that circulated online in the hours following the incident showed one of the jets falling from the sky engulfed in flames. CNN analysis of the footage identified the aircraft as an F-15E twin-engine fighter. A separate clip appeared to show a pilot descending by parachute.
Kuwait’s military had earlier confirmed that “several” jets had come down, and its defence spokesperson subsequently acknowledged that “direct coordination was conducted with the friendly US forces regarding the circumstances of the incident, and joint technical measures were taken.”
US Central Command expressed gratitude toward Kuwait for its response, stating: “Kuwait has acknowledged this incident, and we are grateful for the efforts of the Kuwaiti defence forces and their support in this ongoing operation.”
A formal investigation has been launched to establish the precise cause of the incident. Kuwaiti authorities have indicated they will be seeking information from official sources as part of that process. Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth was expected to address the matter at a press conference scheduled for 8am Eastern time, where further details were anticipated.
The exact location of the incident was not specified in the Central Command statement, nor were details provided on the jets’ intended route. However, it is understood the aircraft were likely operating out of Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, situated approximately 23 miles from the Iraqi border. The base serves as a permanent US installation housing the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, which operates F-15E aircraft.
The F-15E Strike Eagle has a long history in the region. First developed in the 1980s for long-range, high-speed operations, the aircraft played a significant role in the first Gulf War and has maintained a continuous presence in Kuwait since that conflict.
