‘One Kuwaiti pilot blasted all three US F-15 jets out of the sky in friendly fire blunder’
One Kuwaiti pilot mistakenly brought down three US F-15 jets in a friendly fire incident
A Kuwaiti airman flying an American-built fighter aircraft accidentally targeted three U.S. F-15 planes during a mid-air mishap, according to a report. The incident unfolded on Monday when the pilot, operating an F/A-18, launched three missiles at the American jets, as disclosed by sources close to the initial investigation.
The U.S. pilots were forced to eject after the Kuwaiti crew misidentified their F-15E Strike Eagles as Iranian aircraft. The error resulted in the loss of three planes, with replacement costs estimated at $300 million for the U.S. military. Footage shared online revealed a shocking moment when an American pilot, who had parachuted from his downed jet, was mistaken for an Iranian soldier by locals.
Locals mistake pilot for Iranian soldier
Video clips displayed a group of men approaching the ejected pilot, shouting as one waved a metal pole. The airman repeated, “Back up. Stop!” while the onlookers seemed convinced he was an Iranian fighter. The tension eased when the pilot identified himself as American, prompting the crowd to retreat.
The pilot involved was among the three U.S. jets that were mistakenly destroyed. The footage also highlighted a separate scene where a female pilot, still in her parachute, appeared to smile broadly despite the recent chaos, as a man on camera asked, “You need something to help you?”
Iranian drone strike adds to tensions
Meanwhile, an Iranian drone attack on a U.S. operations center in Kuwait had already claimed six American lives on Sunday. This incident has raised concerns about the safety measures in place as the U.S. and Israel intensify their military actions against Iran, which has retaliated with strikes across the region.
The Pentagon confirmed the drone strike occurred in Port Shuaiba, a key military hub near Kuwait City. A satellite image taken on Monday showed the main structure of the complex in ruins, with dark smoke rising from the site. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the attack targeted a “tactical operations center,” where six personnel were killed.
Kuwait’s defense ministry reported coordinating with the U.S. to investigate the circumstances of the friendly fire incident. A spokesperson noted, “Several U.S. warplanes crashed this morning. All crews were recovered and taken to hospitals for evaluation.” The statement emphasized that the pilots’ conditions were stable following the evacuation.
The country hosts the largest U.S. military presence in the Middle East, with approximately 13,500 troops stationed there. The combination of these events has prompted discussions about the risks of misidentification during high-stakes operations. President Donald Trump and top defense officials have warned of further casualties in the ongoing conflict.
