Kuwait City, Kuwait – Monday — Three U.S. Air Force F-15 fighter jets were shot down over Kuwait in what U.S. Central Command described as a friendly fire incident during heightened regional missile activity.
According to CENTCOM, the aircraft were operating in Kuwaiti airspace when Kuwaiti air defense systems mistakenly engaged the jets amid incoming Iranian missile threats targeting the region. All three pilots ejected safely and were later confirmed alive. No fatalities were reported.
The incident occurred as Iranian missiles were reportedly targeting sites in and around Kuwait, prompting active air defense responses. Officials said confusion during the defensive engagement led to the misidentification of the U.S. aircraft.
Friendly fire incidents involving advanced fighter jets are rare, and the loss of three aircraft in a single event marks a significant operational setback. Defense officials said a joint U.S.-Kuwaiti investigation is underway to determine how the misidentification occurred and whether communication or identification protocols failed.
The Pentagon emphasized that U.S. forces remain in close coordination with Kuwaiti authorities as regional tensions continue. Kuwait hosts American military assets and serves as a strategic base for operations in the Middle East.
The broader conflict has already led to missile exchanges and escalating military operations involving U.S. and Iranian forces across the region.
Further updates are expected as officials release additional details from the ongoing investigation.
