An F-15E Strike Eagle crashed in the Middle East, reportedly over Kuwait, with video evidence showing the aircraft ablaze and missing vertical tails before crashing. One crew member was observed safely on the ground after ejecting.
The U.S. Central Command later confirmed the loss of three U.S. Air Force F-15E jets in an apparent friendly fire incident over Kuwait, linked to Kuwaiti air defenses mistakenly targeting the aircraft during active combat operations.
All aircrew members ejected safely and are in stable condition.
Kuwait acknowledged the incident and has been involved in recovery operations and ongoing investigations to determine the causes. The Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense confirmed all crews were safe and were taken for medical evaluation. The aircrew’s helmet decorations suggest a connection to the 335th Fighter Squadron based in North Carolina. CNN has geolocated the crash site near Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, approximately 6.2 miles away. This incident highlights the complexities and risks of high-intensity air campaigns. The investigation is ongoing.
