Pilot of Fighter Jet Downed over Iran Was Previously Shot Down in Kuwaiti Friendly Fire Incident, Sources Say
- An Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle pilot survived two combat shootdowns in 33 days during the Iran war, marking a rare occurrence for a fixed-wing pilot since the Vietnam War, according to CBS News.
- During the war's opening days, the pilot was among six aircrew members who safely ejected after Kuwaiti air defenses mistakenly shot down three F-15E Strike Eagles in a friendly fire incident.
- Just over 30 days later, the pilot ejected again on April 3, 2026, after an Iranian surface-to-air missile struck their F-15E over Iran, prompting a daring rescue operation.
- Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine commended the crew's conduct, highlighting their resilience and trust in rescue forces after both the pilot and weapons system officer were recovered safely.
- Retired Air Force David Deptula, former Gulf War attack planner, called the survival rare, telling CBS News, "It's like getting hit by lightning twice" regarding the pilot's dual shootdowns.
14 Articles
14 Articles
: The US pilot would eject from two F-15Es during Epic Fury, between a friendly fire case and a missile in Iranian skies
CBS: Same F-15E crew member survived two aircraft losses during Iran war
CBS: Same F-15E crew member survived two aircraft losses during Iran war CBS News reported that a US pilot whose F-15E Strike Eagle was shot down in Iranian airspace in early April had previously survived another aircraft loss only weeks earlier, in what sources described as a friendly-fire incident involving Kuwaiti forces. According to CBS, the pilot was part of the crew of one of three US F-15E fighter jets mistakenly shot down over Kuwait d…
The pilot of an American F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jet shot down during the American attack on Iran on April 3 was both unlucky and extremely lucky. According to The High Side, the US Air Force pilot also piloted the aircraft that was one of three F-15Es shot down by a Kuwaiti F/A-18 Hornet in a “friendly fire” on March 1. He escaped both incidents unharmed, but his weapons operator was not so lucky.
F-15 pilot shot down over Iran was downed in Kuwait month prior
The pilot of a U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle shot down by Iran survived another shootdown just weeks earlier when Kuwaiti forces mistakenly downed American aircraft in a friendly fire incident, according to a report published Monday. National security reporter Sean Naylor reported that the unnamed pilot was flying one of three F-15E fighter jets accidentally shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses on March 2 during the opening days of the war in …
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 45% of the sources lean Left, 44% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
