‘One Kuwaiti pilot blasted all three US F-15 jets out of the sky in friendly fire blunder’
One Kuwaiti pilot blasted all three US F-15 jets out of the sky in friendly fire blunder
A report alleges that a Kuwaiti pilot, operating an American-built fighter jet, accidentally brought down three U.S. F-15s in a friendly fire error. The incident occurred during a routine exercise, with the pilot mistaking the American aircraft for Iranian jets.
According to sources close to the initial account of the event, the Kuwaiti pilot, flying an F/A-18, fired three missiles at the American planes. The U.S. pilots were forced to eject after the strike, leaving the damaged jets spiraling out of control and crashing near a military base in Kuwait.
A viral video shared online depicts a tense moment when a U.S. airman, who had parachuted from his downed jet, was approached by a group of local men. They shouted and one brandished a metal pipe, seemingly believing the pilot to be an Iranian soldier. The pilot, hearing their confusion, repeatedly urged them to “Back up. Stop!” before clarifying his nationality.
The footage also captures an unnamed female pilot smiling broadly as she was extracted from her aircraft. Despite the chaos of the friendly fire mishap, she appeared unfazed, with a bystander reassuring her, “No problem, you are safe, you are safe. Everything good? Thank you for helping us.”
Kuwait’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that all six crew members involved in the incident were recovered and hospitalized for evaluation. They emphasized coordination with the U.S. to investigate the circumstances of the error. The pilot who shot down the planes was among those ejected, later seen walking on the ground after landing safely.
“Several U.S. warplanes crashed this morning. Confirming that all crew members survived,” stated a defense ministry spokesperson.
Meanwhile, a separate drone strike targeting a U.S. operations center in Port Shuaiba earlier that week resulted in six American fatalities. The Pentagon confirmed the attack, citing a projectile bypassing air defenses and striking the tactical operations center. A satellite image revealed the main building in the area reduced to rubble, with thick black smoke rising from the site.
Kuwait hosts the largest U.S. military contingent in the Middle East, with around 13,500 troops stationed there. The recent events have raised concerns about safety protocols during joint military operations, as Iran retaliates against strikes by the U.S. and Israel.
President Donald Trump and top defense officials have warned of further casualties, acknowledging the heightened risk of conflict in the region. Pentagon spokespersons described the Port Shuaiba strike as a coordinated attack, underscoring the challenges of maintaining security amid ongoing hostilities.
