US Fighter Jets Crashed in Kuwait after ‘Mistakenly Shot Down by Kuwaiti air defenses’ while Intercepting Iranian Missiles: ‘All Crew Members Safe and stable’

Three US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets crashed in Kuwait on Monday, after Kuwaiti air defenses mistakenly engaged them during intense regional combat, according to statements from both the Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense and US Central Command (CENTCOM).

According to US Central Command (CENTCOM) ——-” At 11:03 p.m. ET, March 1, three U.S. F-15E Strike Eagles flying in support of Operation Epic Fury went down over Kuwait due to an apparent friendly fire incident.

During active combat—that included attacks from Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones — the U.S. Air Force fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses.

All six-aircrew 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 defense forces and their support in this ongoing operation.”

Kuwait’s defense ministry announced early Monday that “several United States military aircraft” had gone down, confirming that search-and-rescue teams responded immediately and that every crew member survived the incident. The ministry did not initially disclose the number of aircraft or the cause, but US officials later clarified the details.

In a statement released through CENTCOM, the US military revealed that the three F-15Es—carrying a total of six aircrew—were accidentally shot down by Kuwaiti defenses while operating amid Iranian missile, drone, and aircraft attacks on Gulf targets. 

All six pilots ejected safely, were recovered quickly, and are now in stable condition at medical facilities in Kuwait. Kuwaiti authorities have coordinated closely with US forces on the recovery and investigation.

How did it happen?

While intercepting the attacks from Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones — the U.S. Air Force fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses.

The crashes occurred against a backdrop of rapidly widening conflict. Iran has launched retaliatory strikes across the Gulf in response to ongoing US-Israeli operations against Iranian targets. Reports and eyewitness accounts described smoke and fire near the US Embassy compound in Kuwait, prompting the embassy to issue a security alert urging American citizens to shelter in place due to ongoing drone and missile threats. No official confirmation has linked the embassy directly to damage from the jet crashes, and casualty figures from any ground impacts remain unconfirmed.

Reacting on X (formerly Twitter), Mosab Hassan Yousef—known as the “Green Prince” and a prominent critic of Hamas—wrote: “US fighter jets just crashed in Kuwait—pilots ejected, all safe and in hospital. The last thing we need is any of our guys in enemy hands. Keep ’em in your thoughts.”

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) is one of the 11 unified combatant commands of the U.S. Department of Defense, responsible for defending and promoting U.S. interests in a vast region stretching from the Horn of Africa to Central Asia.