Kuwait’s air defenses accidentally shot down three U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles during Operation Epic Fury. All six crew members ejected safely and are in stable condition.
Three U.S. Air Force McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets were shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses in a friendly fire incident during active combat operations Sunday, the U.S. Central Command confirmed. All six crew members aboard the downed aircraft ejected safely and are in stable condition.
The shootdowns occurred at 7:03 a.m. local time (11:03 p.m. EST, March 1, 2026), as American forces were conducting Operation Epic Fury amid escalating regional geopolitical tensions. U.S. Central Command — known as CENTCOM — stated that “during active combat, (…) the USAF fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses.”
Kuwait, a U.S. ally in the region, acknowledged its role in the incident. CENTCOM said: “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 cause of the incident is under investigation.”
The F-15E is designed for a two-person crew — one pilot and one weapon systems officer — meaning six USAF service members were aboard the three jets. CENTCOM confirmed all six “ejected safely, have been safely recovered, and are in stable condition,” adding that “additional information will be released as it becomes available.”
Photographs and videos of the aircraft spiraling to the ground began circulating online earlier Sunday, drawing considerable attention amid the U.S.’s ongoing military action in nearby Iran. The BBC verified the footage as having been filmed near Kuwait City, on the edge of a western area known as Al Jahra. A separate video cited by The Independent showed at least one crew member parachuting to the ground. The Kuwaiti military also released its own official statement on the incident.
The Kuwait Army confirmed on its official X account that “the relevant authorities immediately initiated search and rescue procedures.” A spokesperson for Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense, quoted by the Kuwait Army, said “the crews were evacuated and transferred to the hospital to check on their health status and provide the necessary medical care.” The Kuwaiti military is now working jointly with U.S. counterparts on an investigation to determine the cause of the incident and identify the necessary follow-up measures.
The McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle is a derivative of the older F-15 Eagle, which was produced from 1972 to 1997 and entered service in 1976. Nearly 1,200 units were built across the A, B, C, D, J, and DJ variants. The F-15E first flew in 1986 and entered service in 1989, with 435 units produced across the E, I, S, K, and SG variants. Boeing continued production of the jet following its 1997 merger with McDonnell Douglas, with output running through 2017. The aircraft’s two-seat cockpit — housing a dedicated weapon systems officer alongside the pilot — enables it to conduct air-to-surface strike missions at any hour and in any weather conditions.
Key Takeaways
- Kuwaiti air defenses shot down three USAF F-15E Strike Eagles during active combat operations on March 2, 2026, at 7:03 a.m. local time; CENTCOM confirmed the jets were “mistakenly” downed by an ally.
- All six crew members — one pilot and one weapon systems officer per aircraft — ejected safely and are in stable condition.
- Kuwait acknowledged the incident; a joint U.S.-Kuwaiti investigation into its causes is underway.
- The F-15E, a two-seat derivative of the F-15 Eagle, entered service in 1989 and was produced by Boeing through 2017.
