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 Iran. The pilot safely ejected and returned to flying duties before being shot down again in a later combat mission over Iran.
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The second incident occurred on April 3, when an F-15E operating over Iran was shot down during combat operations. U.S. officials confirmed at the time that both crew members ejected from the aircraft. One was rescued within hours, while the second, a weapons system officer, was recovered the following day after a large-scale search-and-rescue operation.
The pilot’s identity has not been publicly released.
Military officials told Naylor that the aviator was among the six aircrew members forced to eject after Kuwaiti defenses mistakenly engaged three American F-15E Strike Eagles during a period of intense regional combat operations. All six crew members survived and were recovered safely.
U.S. Central Command said at the time that the March 2 losses resulted from an “apparent friendly fire incident” as Kuwaiti forces responded to Iranian missile, drone, and aircraft attacks in the region. Kuwait later acknowledged responsibility for the shootdowns, and both countries opened investigations into the incident.
The April shootdown marked one of the most significant combat losses for the United States during the conflict with Iran. The downing triggered an extensive rescue effort involving dozens of aircraft and hundreds of personnel operating inside Iranian territory. Both crew members ultimately survived.
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The aviator is believed to be the first fixed-wing Air Force pilot since the Vietnam War era to survive being shot down twice in the same conflict.
The Washington Examiner reached out to U.S. Central Command for comment.
