A dramatic video circulating online captured a flaming U.S. fighter jet spiraling from the sky as a crew member parachuted to safety, after U.S. Central Command confirmed that three American jets were “mistakenly shot down” by Kuwaiti air defenses Sunday night amid an intense Iranian attack.
CENTCOM, which oversees U.S. military operations across the Middle East, said Monday morning that all six crew members aboard the aircraft were able to eject safely and are now in stable condition.
“During active combat – that included attacks from Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones – the U.S. Air Force fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses,” the command said in a statement. “We are grateful for the efforts of the Kuwaiti defense forces and their support in this ongoing operation.”
The incident occurred as Iranian missile strikes targeted the U.S. Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, located roughly six miles from the crash site. Kuwait’s Defense Ministry previously confirmed that multiple aircraft were involved in an incident during the attack.
The video footage, aired by Sky News, showed what was identified as an F-15E jet spiraling downward in flames before the pilot ejected. The harrowing images underscore the chaos unfolding in the region as Iranian forces launched a barrage that included aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones.
BREAKING: Kuwait's defence ministry says "several" US military aircraft crashed this morning inside the country.
It says the crews of the jets survived and are in "stable" conditions after being evacuated and transferred to hospitals.https://t.co/2ngVXXQEvq pic.twitter.com/MphCn14JPx
— Sky News (@SkyNews) March 2, 2026
In a statement released Monday morning, a spokesman for Kuwait’s Defense Ministry said emergency teams responded without delay after the aircraft went down.
“The relevant authorities immediately launched search and rescue operations, evacuated the crews and transported them to a hospital to assess their condition and provide necessary medical care,” the spokesman said.
All personnel were taken to a hospital and are reported to be in stable condition, according to officials.
Kuwaiti authorities said they are working directly with U.S. forces in the aftermath of the incident. The ministry spokesman noted that officials had coordinated closely with their American counterparts regarding the circumstances of the crash and had “took joint technical measures” following the event.
The mistaken shootdown occurred in the midst of what CENTCOM described as active combat operations, with Iranian forces launching a coordinated assault involving multiple weapons systems. The fog of war, particularly during high-intensity missile and drone attacks, can create split-second decisions for air defense units tasked with protecting critical infrastructure and personnel.
Despite the incident, U.S. officials emphasized their appreciation for Kuwait’s ongoing cooperation and support. Kuwait hosts key American military installations and has long been a strategic partner in regional security efforts.
The confirmation that all six crew members survived and are in stable condition brings a measure of relief amid a volatile and fast-moving conflict. Still, the incident highlights the complexity and risks of operating in contested airspace during a large-scale attack.
As combat operations continue across the region, U.S. and Kuwaiti officials are expected to further review the circumstances surrounding the mistaken engagement. For now, the focus remains on the safety of the service members involved and the broader effort to counter Iranian aggression in the Middle East.
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