The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has officially acknowledged that three F-15E Strike Eagle fighter-bombers were mistakenly shot down over Kuwait on Monday, local time. The aircraft fell victim to friendly fire from Kuwaiti air defenses.
The incident transpired at 11:03 p.m. ET on March 1, during the "Epic Fury" operation, a joint military offensive by the U.S. and Israel against Iran, which commenced on Saturday, February 28. The six crew members—two per aircraft—safely ejected before impact. CENTCOM stated, "All six crew members ejected safely, were recovered, and are in stable condition."
A verified video by the Times of Israel shows a military aircraft plummeting and a crew member parachuting down over the Al Jahra region in Kuwait.
The F-15Es were operating out of the Ali Al Salem Air Base, home to the USAF's 386th Air Expeditionary Wing, located about 37 kilometers from the Iraqi border. Witnesses reported smoke rising near the U.S. Embassy complex in Kuwait City, with emergency vehicles on scene.
The misidentification occurred amid high-intensity combat conditions. On the same day, Kuwaiti defenses intercepted 97 ballistic missiles and 283 drones launched by Iran as part of "Operation True Promise 4," resulting in one death and over 30 injuries in Kuwait.
In the United Arab Emirates, defense forces intercepted 165 ballistic missiles and 541 drones, with three fatalities and 58 injuries reported. Loud explosions were heard in Dubai, Doha, and Kuwait, leading to restricted or closed airspace in several countries.
Iran retaliated against "Epic Fury" with waves of missiles and drones targeting 27 U.S. military bases across Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, Jordan, and Iraq, as well as sites in Israel.
The operation, which began on February 28 at 1:15 a.m., targeted over 1,000 locations in Iran within its first 24 hours, including IRGC facilities, air defense systems, missile and drone sites, and airfields. CENTCOM described it as an "overwhelming and relentless strike."
Prior to the incident, three U.S. servicemen had died and five were injured during "Epic Fury." President Donald Trump had previously warned of potential casualties in the conflict.
The loss of the three F-15Es marks one of the most significant material setbacks for the USAF in decades, though fortunately without any fatalities among crew members. CENTCOM expressed appreciation for the Kuwaiti defense forces' efforts despite the tragic error, and a joint investigation into the identification failure is ongoing.
This incident recalls historical precedents in the region. During Operation Desert Storm in 1991, a USAF F-15C mistakenly downed two Kuwaiti Mirage F1s on February 27, just hours before a ceasefire, due to identification and communication failures. That event was also investigated and confirmed as friendly fire resulting from human and technical errors, highlighting the inherent risks of joint air operations in dense combat environments.
Key Questions About the Friendly Fire Incident
What caused the misidentification of the F-15E Strike Eagles?
The exact causes of the misidentification are under investigation, but it occurred in a context of high-intensity combat, which can lead to identification and communication errors.
Were there any casualties among the crew members?
No, all six crew members ejected safely and were recovered in stable condition.
How does this incident compare to previous friendly fire events in the region?
This incident is reminiscent of a 1991 event during Operation Desert Storm when a USAF F-15C accidentally shot down two Kuwaiti Mirage F1s due to similar identification and communication failures.