US CENTCOM says 3 F-15Es ‘mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses’

US CENTCOM says 3 F-15Es ‘mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses’

All six aircrew recovered in stable condition, investigation launched into cause of incident, says US Central Command

The US Central Command on Monday said that its three F-15E Strike Eagles “were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses.”

“At 11:03 p.m. ET (0403 GMT), March 1, three U.S. F-15E Strike Eagles flying in support of Operation Epic Fury went down over Kuwait due to an apparent friendly fire incident,” the statement read, adding that the fighter jets were “mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses.”

The statement said that all six aircrew ejected safely and have been recovered in stable condition.

“Kuwait has acknowledged this incident, and we are grateful for the efforts of the Kuwaiti defense forces and their support in this ongoing operation,” CENTCOM said.

They added that an investigation had been launched into the cause of the incident.