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3 US warplanes shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses, pilots bail out in friendly fire incident, CENTCOM says
By Ashley Carnahan
Published March 02, 2026
Three U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles were shot down in a friendly fire incident over Kuwait late Sunday during active combat operations tied to Operation Epic Fury, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said.
The aircraft were mistakenly engaged by Kuwaiti air defenses amid a complex battle environment that included attacks from Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles and drones.
All six aircrew members safely ejected, were quickly recovered, and are reported to be in stable condition.
Kuwaiti officials have acknowledged the incident, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause.
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A burning aircraft falls from the sky in Al Jahra, Kuwait, in this still image obtained from social media video released on March 2, 2026. (Social Media/via REUTERS)
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CENTCOM said additional details are expected as the review progresses.
This is a breaking news story; check back for updates.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/3-us-warplanes-shot-down-kuwaiti-air-defenses-pilots-bail-out-friendly-fire-incident-centcom-says