Credited from: INDIATIMES
On March 1, three U.S. F-15E Strike Eagles were “mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses” during an operation known as Epic Fury. The incident, described by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) as friendly fire, occurred at approximately 11:03 p.m. ET, and all six crew members managed to eject safely, subsequently being recovered in stable condition, according to aa, indiatimes, and cbsnews.
In a statement, CENTCOM expressed gratitude towards the Kuwaiti defense forces for their prompt response and coordination in the search and rescue efforts. Kuwait's Ministry of Defence confirmed that the crews were evacuated and in stable condition, referencing their cooperation with U.S. forces amidst the escalating conflict involving Iranian retaliation, which includes attacks from Iranian aircraft and missiles, according to aa, indiatimes, and cbsnews.
This friendly fire event reflects the tense and complex military environment in the region, marked by the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict. Reports indicate that this incident unfolded during heightened military activities, including retaliatory strikes on Gulf states following aggressive operations from the U.S. and its allies. Iran has been directly involved in the conflict, reportedly launching missile attacks on various targets, according to aa, indiatimes, and cbsnews.