‘One Kuwaiti pilot blasted all three US F-15 jets out of the sky in friendly fire blunder’
US F-15s Downed by Kuwaiti Pilot in Friendly Fire Error
A Kuwaiti aircrew member operating an American fighter jet accidentally brought down three U.S. F-15s during a training exercise, according to a recent report. The incident occurred when the pilot misidentified the jets as Iranian aircraft, triggering a missile launch that resulted in the loss of the planes.
Details of the event emerged through statements from insiders close to the situation, shared with the Wall Street Journal. The pilot, flying an F/A-18, fired three missiles at the F-15E Strike Eagles, causing them to crash near a U.S. military base in Kuwait.
“Several US warplanes crashed this morning. Confirming that all crew members survived.”
Locals Mistook Pilot for Iranian Soldier
Video clips circulating online captured the moment a U.S. pilot, who had ejected from his damaged jet, was approached by Kuwaiti civilians. The men appeared to believe the airman was Iranian, prompting one to raise a metal pole as they moved in closer.
“Back up. Stop!” the pilot urged, trying to clarify his identity. The tension eased when the locals realized he was American, retreating after the pilot confirmed his nationality.
Investigation and Casualties
Kuwait’s Defence Ministry confirmed the incident, stating it was working with U.S. officials to examine the circumstances. The crash reportedly cost the U.S. around $300 million in damages to replace the aircraft.
Earlier footage showed the planes spiraling uncontrollably before crashing. All six crew members were safely evacuated and hospitalized, with their conditions reported as stable.
Drone Strike in Kuwait Claims Six U.S. Lives
The friendly fire incident follows a separate attack on a U.S. operations center in Kuwait, where six soldiers were killed by an Iranian drone strike on Sunday. This development has raised concerns about the effectiveness of safety measures during joint military operations.
President Donald Trump and senior defense officials anticipated further losses, with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stating the attack occurred at a tactical operations center in Port Shuaiba. The Pentagon later confirmed the drone strike, revealing the names of four casualties.
A satellite image taken Monday displayed the main structure of the complex in ruins, with smoke rising from the site. Port Shuaiba, located south of Kuwait City, is a key seaport and industrial hub.
