Three U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets were shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses in what U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed was a friendly fire incident during active combat operations tied to Operation Epic Fury.
The incident occurred at approximately 11:03 p.m. ET Sunday (around 7:00 a.m. local Kuwait time), according to CENTCOM. The aircraft were engaged in combat operations that included intercepting Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles and drones when they were “mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses.”
All six aircrew members — two per aircraft — ejected safely. CENTCOM said they were 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,” CENTCOM said in a statement. “The cause of the incident is under investigation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.”
Kuwaiti authorities confirmed the “complete safety” of the aircrew and said they immediately initiated search-and-rescue procedures. Earlier Kuwaiti statements referenced engagement with “a number of hostile aerial targets” and indicated that “joint technical measures were taken.”
Video geolocated by Reuters to the Al Jahra area west of Kuwait City showed one jet falling from the sky and at least one parachute descending. Additional footage circulating online appeared to show a pilot in a flight suit being assisted into a vehicle by local responders.
Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, addressed the incident briefly at a Pentagon briefing.
“I am aware of the loss of three U.S. Air Force F-15Es overnight in the region. I am grateful for the safety of the crews, and we know that this was not from hostile enemy fire. As this matter is under investigation, I’ll not comment further on this,” Caine said.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth did not reference the shootdown in his remarks during the same briefing.
Iran’s state media, citing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, claimed Iranian forces were responsible for hitting a U.S. aircraft that crashed in Kuwait. U.S. officials have rejected that assertion, confirming the aircraft were downed by Kuwaiti defenses.
The downed aircraft were F-15E Strike Eagles, a dual-role, twin-seat fighter built by McDonnell Douglas. The “E” variant is designed for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions and remains a key platform in U.S. strike operations. Losing three in a single incident represents a significant material setback, in addition to the operational disruption.
The friendly fire incident comes amid escalating conflict following the U.S.-Israeli launch of Operation Epic Fury targeting Iranian military infrastructure. CENTCOM confirmed earlier that at least four U.S. service members have been killed and several others wounded since the start of the operation.
The shootdown also raises questions about identification protocols and allied coordination. Kuwait operates the U.S.-manufactured Patriot air defense system, including PAC-3 interceptors. In January, the U.S. State Department approved an $800 million Foreign Military Sale to support Kuwait’s Patriot batteries, including sustainment and technical upgrades.
The Patriot system is designed to distinguish between friendly and hostile aircraft through identification friend-or-foe (IFF) protocols and integrated air defense coordination. How three allied strike fighters operating in a joint combat environment were misidentified remains under investigation.
The diplomatic language used by CENTCOM underscores the sensitivity of the situation. Kuwait is a long-standing U.S. ally and a key partner in regional security operations. Coalition cohesion remains a strategic priority as Iranian forces continue missile and drone attacks across the region.
Iran has launched ballistic missiles and drones at multiple countries in the Middle East since the start of hostilities, some striking civilian areas including hotels and residential zones. Iranian forces have also targeted military facilities used by the United States and its allies, including an alleged drone strike near RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.
President Trump has said that the bulk of Iran’s defenses and nearly all of its navy have been destroyed.
