DefenseThree USAF F-15E jets shot down over Kuwait in suspected friendly fire incident
Three U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles were shot down over Kuwait on Monday in what U.S. officials have acknowledged was not hostile enemy fire. Subsequent reports indicate the aircraft were likely downed by a Kuwaiti Air Force F/A-18 in a friendly fire incident.
The losses occurred early in the morning during active combat operations linked to the U.S. campaign against Iran. All six crew members — three pilots and three weapons systems officers — ejected safely and were recovered. U.S. officials said they are in stable condition.
Initial reports on March 2 described a single F-15 crashing under unclear circumstances, with videos circulating online showing the twin-engine aircraft descending in a flat spin while on fire before impacting the ground. Updated information now confirms that three F-15Es were lost in the same episode.
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Footage widely shared on social media showed at least one F-15E with its vertical stabilizers missing and flames coming from the empennage as it fell. Separate images appeared to show aircrew members on the ground near parachutes, as well as at least one crew member being assisted by civilians. The damage pattern — including missing twin tails and apparent rear-fuselage fire — is consistent with a missile impact from the rear quadrant.
U.S. Central Command initially said the aircraft were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses but did not specify whether surface-to-air or air-to-air systems were involved. Subsequent reporting citing officials familiar with preliminary findings has indicated that a Kuwaiti F/A-18 Hornet may have fired the missiles that brought down the three Strike Eagles.
Neither CENTCOM nor Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense has publicly confirmed the specific platform or weapon involved. Both have said the incident remains under investigation. Kuwait previously stated that multiple U.S. aircraft were involved in an incident during operations against hostile aerial targets and confirmed that all crews were safe.
The shootdowns occurred in a complex operating environment marked by Iranian missile and drone attacks across the Gulf. Kuwaiti fighters were airborne conducting air defense missions at the time. The F-15Es were participating in strike operations as part of the U.S.-led campaign that began February 28.
The loss of the three F-15E aircraft represents the first confirmed U.S. fixed-wing combat losses in the current campaign.
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