US Confirms 3 F-15 Jets Mistakenly Shot Down In Kuwait Amid Iran Conflict

A major aerial mishap unfolded over Kuwait on Monday after three United States Air Force fighter aircraft were brought down during ongoing combat operations linked to the widening confrontation in West Asia.

The incident occurred amid heightened military activity connected to the joint Israeli-American campaign against Iran, dramatically underlining the chaos of an active war zone.

The United States military confirmed the aircraft were lost not to enemy action but to an identification error by allied air defences.

What Happened Over Kuwait

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said the aircraft were F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets supporting Operation Epic Fury when they were struck.

"Three US F-15E Strike Eagles flying in support of Operation Epic Fury went down over Kuwait due to an apparent friendly fire incident," the US Central Command says in a statement, referring to the ongoing Israeli-American operation against Iran.

According to the statement, Kuwaiti air defence systems misidentified the aircraft during intense combat conditions. The region was simultaneously witnessing incoming threats from multiple directions.

CENTCOM says that 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."

Aircrew Survive The Shootdown

Despite the loss of three aircraft, the Pentagon confirmed that all crew members survived. Each fighter jet carried two personnel.

"All six aircrew (two per plane) ejected safely, have been safely recovered, and are in stable condition. Kuwait has acknowledged this incident, and we are grateful for the efforts of the Kuwaiti defence forces and their support in this ongoing operation," CENTCOM said.

The American military reiterated the same update separately.

"All six aircrew ejected safely, have been safely recovered, and are in stable condition," CENTCOM says.

Kuwait Acknowledges Incident

Kuwait has accepted responsibility for the mistaken engagement. Washington also stressed that the episode occurred under highly complicated battlefield circumstances where multiple aerial threats were present simultaneously.

"Kuwait has acknowledged this incident, and we are grateful for the efforts of the Kuwaiti defense forces and their support in this ongoing operation," the statement continues.

The incident illustrates the dangers of coalition warfare, particularly when allied defence systems operate under heavy missile and drone attacks.

Investigation Underway

CENTCOM confirmed the matter is now being formally examined.

The United States military said three US F-15 fighter jets crashed over Kuwait this morning in what it described as "friendly fire," adding that the circumstances surrounding the misidentification are under further investigation.

Military analysts note that identification systems, communication timing, and airspace congestion often become critical vulnerabilities during large-scale operations, especially when aircraft, drones, and ballistic missiles are active in the same operational theatre.