‘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 Kuwaiti pilot, operating an American-built fighter jet, inadvertently downed three US F-15s during a critical error in identification, according to a recent report.
According to sources close to the initial account, the Kuwaiti F/A-18 pilot fired three missiles at the American jets, mistaking them for Iranian aircraft. The incident occurred on Monday morning, forcing the US pilots to eject from their planes and costing the military $300 million in replacement costs.
Footage captures pilot’s dramatic escape
Video clips shared online reveal the harrowing moment a US airman, who had parachuted from his downed jet, was mistaken for an Iranian soldier by local civilians. A group of men approached the pilot, shouting as one raised a metal pipe, prompting the pilot to urgently shout,
“Back up. Stop!”
before identifying himself as American and calming the situation.
The pilot, part of the three US jets mistakenly shot down over Kuwait, was seen in a tailspin near a military base. Earlier footage showed the planes spiraling out of control before crashing, with the US military confirming all six crew members were safely ejected and recovered.
Iranian drone strike adds to regional tensions
Amid the friendly fire incident, another tragedy unfolded in Kuwait. An Iranian drone strike targeted a US operations center, killing six American soldiers on Sunday. The attack occurred in Port Shuaiba, a key seaport and industrial hub south of Kuwait City.
A satellite image released Monday showed the main building of the complex in ruins, with thick black smoke rising from the site. The Pentagon confirmed the strike, naming four of the fallen soldiers. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth noted the projectile bypassed air defenses, striking the tactical operations center.
Post-incident interactions and mixed reactions
Following the drone strike, a separate video emerged showing a female pilot, who had also been ejected, smiling broadly as locals greeted her. In the clip, a man can be heard asking,
“You need something to help you?”
before the pilot responded with reassurance,
“No problem, you are safe, you are safe. Everything good? Thank you for helping us.”
Meanwhile, a third pilot was seen walking on the ground after safely ejecting. Kuwait’s Ministry of Defence stated it was working with the US to investigate the friendly fire circumstances, emphasizing the pilot’s identification as American was crucial in resolving the standoff.
Kuwait hosts the largest US military presence in the Middle East, with approximately 13,500 troops stationed there. The twin incidents—friendly fire and drone strike—have sparked questions about coordination and safety measures during ongoing regional conflicts.
President Donald Trump and top US defense officials warned of potential further casualties, citing the increased risk of cross-border engagements as both the US and Israel target Iran. The drone strike, however, marked a significant escalation in tensions, with Iran retaliating through coordinated strikes in the area.
