‘One Kuwaiti pilot blasted all three US F-15 jets out of the sky in friendly fire blunder’
Kuwaiti Pilot Mistakenly Downed Three US F-15s in Friendly Fire Incident
A Kuwaiti pilot, operating an American-made jet, inadvertently targeted three US F-15s during a training exercise, according to reports. The mistake occurred when the pilot mistook the planes for Iranian aircraft, leading to the accidental destruction of the jets.
Initial accounts from sources close to the event revealed that the F/A-18 pilot fired three missiles at the American planes. This error resulted in the loss of three fighter jets, with all six crew members ejecting safely and being recovered.
Video clips circulating online captured the chaotic aftermath, showing a US airman parachuting from his downed jet. Locals initially approached him, believing he was an Iranian soldier, and one individual held a metal pipe as they yelled at him. The pilot repeatedly urged them to step back, claiming his identity as American before the confusion was resolved.
“Back up. Stop!” the pilot was heard shouting as the men closed in, convinced he was an enemy pilot. After confirming his nationality, the group retreated, leaving him unharmed.
The incident unfolded near a US military base in Kuwait, where the plane was seen spiraling into a tailspin. Earlier footage had shown the jets crashing, with each plane estimated to cost around $90 million in repairs.
Kuwait’s Ministry of Defence stated it was working with the US to investigate the circumstances of the event. A spokesperson confirmed all crew members survived, with rescue teams evacuating them and transporting them to hospitals for medical checks.
Meanwhile, a separate drone strike in Port Shuaiba killed six American soldiers on Sunday. The attack targeted a US operations centre, and the Pentagon later confirmed it was an Iranian drone that caused the damage.
“Several US warplanes crashed this morning. Authorities immediately initiated search and rescue operations, evacuating the crews and transporting them to a hospital for medical evaluation and treatment. Their condition is stable,” the defense ministry representative said.
The friendly fire event followed a similar, yet less alarming, encounter where another pilot was assisted by locals. A video showed a female pilot smiling widely after being safely ejected, with a man nearby asking, “You need something to help you?”
“No problem, you are safe, you are safe. Everything good? Thank you for helping us,” the man continued, as the pilot appeared relieved.
Footage also depicted the third pilot standing on the ground after successfully ejecting. The incident highlights the complexities of military operations in Kuwait, where the US maintains the largest regional force with over 13,500 troops stationed.
With tensions rising between the US, Israel, and Iran, this error raises concerns about the safety measures in place. President Donald Trump and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth noted that such incidents could lead to more casualties in ongoing conflicts.
