Three US F-15s are shot down by Kuwait in pleasant hearth blunder: Video reveals $90million warplane on hearth as crews all handle to parachute safely
The US has confirmed that three of their F-15 fighter jets were shot down by Kuwait in a ‘friendly fire blunder’ – as video shows the $90million planes tailspinning in smoke to the ground.
Kuwait’s Defence Ministry said crews are safe after the crashes this morning, which saw at least two pilots eject from their planes near a US military base in Kuwait.
A US Central Command (CENTCOM) official confirmed that American military aircraft were ‘downed’ in Kuwait on Monday morning, as an Iraqi pro-militia outlet shared footage of a US pilot after ejecting from his aircraft in Kuwait City.
US CENTCOM said that three of its F-15 jets, which were ‘flying in support of Operation Epic Fury’ – the name of the US military operation against Iran – ‘went down over Kuwait due to an apparent friendly fire incident’.
It said all six crew ejected safely and have been recovered, evacuated and transferred to hospitals for health checks.
Kuwait’s Ministry of Defence said it was coordinating with the US regarding the ‘circumstances of the incident’ and is continuing investigations into the ’causes of the incident’.
The latest variant of the F-15 fighter jet, the Boeing F-15EX Eagle II, costs around $90million-$97million per aircraft, with prices increasing when advanced weapons and machinery is added.
Video shared on social media on Monday showed one US fighter jet crashing in Kuwait, with the plane on fire and an ejected pilot parachuting to the ground.
The plane was seen in a tailspin falling out of the sky near a US base in Kuwait
Another video on Monday showed a parachute falling from the sky roughly 18.5miles from the US’ Ali Al Salem Air Base
The pilot had successfully ejected and was seen walking on the ground after the crash
The crash happened within 6.2miles of the US Ali Al Salem base in Kuwait, as reports of fire and smoke from inside the US Embassy compound in Kuwait have emerged this morning.
A spokesperson for Kuwait’s defence ministry said: ‘Several US warplanes crashed this morning. Confirming that all crew members survived.
‘Authorities immediately initiated search and rescue operations, evacuating the crews and transporting them to a hospital for medical evaluation and treatment. Their condition is stable.’ They added that the cause of the crash was under investigation.
One pilot caught on video successfully ejected and was seen alive and walking on the ground.
The crashes come as Iran presses on with a third day of strikes in the Gulf and US President Donald Trump confirmed that so far three US servicemen have been killed in Kuwait.
Fire and smoke have been seen rising from inside the US Embassy compound in Kuwait after an Iranian attack on the small Middle Eastern nation on Monday.
Reports of smoke inside the building and an alarm going off followed a warning earlier from the United States to American citizens, telling them to take cover and remain indoors.
It said: ‘Do not come to the Embassy’ without elaborating.
Kuwait’s Defence Ministry confirmed that several US warplanes have crashed but their crews have survived
The US embassy in Bahrain also issued a chilling warning this morning that ‘terrorist groups’ are planning to attack US citizens in the Gulf state, advising that Americans in Bahrain should avoid hotels as they might be a target.
The conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt air travel, hit US-friendly Gulf states and stop the safe flow of oil.
Countries looking to evacuate their citizens face major challenges, as thousands of British tourists in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are currently stuck.
Explosions continue to be heard over Dubai, Doha and Cyprus, and so far 100,000 Brits have signed up to be evacuated from the Middle East.
Iran has rejected President Trump’s ultimatum after the US President told Iranian leaders to give up the fight, saying they would never surrender.
