On March 2nd, local time, three US F-15E fighter jets supporting the “Operation Wrath of the Epic” in Kuwait were mistakenly shot down by friendly forces, but fortunately all six crew members ejected safely. However, a small incident occurred after the pilots landed. A male pilot was mistaken for the enemy by locals and was nearly mobbed, while a female pilot received friendly care from the locals. They seemed to have experienced “different treatment”.
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) stated in a press release that on March 1st at 11:03 p.m. Eastern Time (7:03 a.m. Kuwait Time on March 2nd), the three US F-15E fighter jets crashed in Kuwait due to a clear case of friendly fire.
The statement mentioned, “Amidst the conflict zone and facing attacks from Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones, the US Air Force jets were mistakenly shot down by the Kuwaiti anti-aircraft system.”
It was confirmed that all six crew members safely ejected and have been rescued and are in stable condition. Kuwait has acknowledged the incident, and an investigation into the cause of the incident is currently underway.
Footage of the downed jets has been circulating online. Some videos show one aircraft completely engulfed in flames while another appeared to have engine fires burning.
The visuals of the pilots parachuting to safety have also been shared online. One male pilot was surrounded by locals upon landing and was nearly attacked with sticks until he identified himself as American.
Conversely, a female pilot received care and concern from locals upon landing, with them asking if she was okay, if she needed help, and reassuring her of her safety, expressing gratitude for her assistance.
Some online users suggest that this “double standard” treatment may be because Iran does not have female pilots, leading Kuwaitis to confidently believe that the female pilot was not an enemy.
According to aviation news website “Simple Flying,” the F-15E fighter jets, produced by American aircraft manufacturer McDonnell Douglas, are derived models of the F-15, developed based on the need for upgrades and replacements.
The F-15E first flew in 1986 and entered service in 1989, designed as a two-person crew including a pilot and a weapon systems officer. In contrast, the older F-15 model had only one pilot.
Following the incident of the mistaken shootdown of the F-15E fighter jets, the Kuwaiti military cited a Defense Ministry spokesperson stating that “the crew members have been evacuated and taken to hospitals for health check-ups and necessary medical care.”
The Kuwaiti military is currently cooperating with the US authorities to investigate the incident to determine the cause and take necessary follow-up measures.