A late-night friendly fire incident over Kuwait has left six United States Air Force pilots in stable condition after their aircraft were mistakenly targeted by local air defenses. The Pentagon confirmed on Monday that three F-15E Strike Eagles were downed at approximately 11:03 p.m. ET on March 1.
The incident occurred during the heat of “active combat” involving a complex wave of Iranian drones, ballistic missiles, and aircraft.
United States Central Command (CENTCOM) issued a formal statement early Monday morning detailing the sequence of events. According to the report, the Strike Eagles were flying in support of Operation Epic Fury when the Kuwaiti military, an ally in the region, accidentally engaged the American jets.
Despite the loss of the aircraft, officials confirmed a successful search and rescue mission for the crew members involved.
READ: Fourth U.S. Service Member Dies Following Iranian Attacks In Operation Epic Fury
“All six aircrew ejected safely, have been safely recovered, and are in stable condition,” CENTCOM stated. The release further noted that Kuwait has acknowledged the error. “We are grateful for the efforts of the Kuwaiti defense forces and their support in this ongoing operation. The cause of the incident is under investigation.”
The F-15E Strike Eagle, a cornerstone of the U.S. aerial arsenal since 1989, is a dual-role fighter designed for high-speed interdiction and air-to-air combat. Capable of reaching speeds over Mach 2.5, the Boeing-built jets are typically outfitted with a 20mm Vulcan cannon and a variety of sophisticated missiles, including the AIM-120 AMRAAM.
This accidental engagement comes at a moment of extreme tension across the Middle East. Operation Epic Fury was initiated last Friday following a series of U.S. strikes against Iran that resulted in the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
While the Pentagon continues to assess the tactical failure that led to this friendly fire event, they have committed to releasing more specific details as the formal investigation moves forward.
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