US F-15E pilot shot down twice in 33 days throughout Iran battle — first by Kuwaiti pleasant fireplace, then by Iranian missile
3 min learnUp to date: Jun 3, 2026 02:47 PM IST
A US Air Power F-15E Strike Eagle pilot was shot down twice in 33 days in the course of the early months of the Iran battle — first by Kuwaiti pleasant fireplace on March 1, then by an Iranian surface-to-air missile on 3 April — making the unnamed airman virtually definitely the primary US Air Power fixed-wing pilot to outlive two fight shootdowns in the identical battle for the reason that Vietnam Warfare, CBS Information reported.
The primary incident: Kuwaiti pleasant fireplace
Within the opening days of the battle, a Kuwaiti air defence system mistakenly focused three US F-15E Strike Eagles working over Kuwaiti airspace. The pilot in query was amongst six aircrew members who ejected safely from the downed jets. The incident marked one of many extra startling circumstances of pleasant fireplace within the battle’s early part.
Barely a month later, shot down once more
Lower than 5 weeks after surviving that incident, the identical pilot was airborne once more — this time on a fight mission over Iran. On April 3, the F-15E they have been flying was struck by an Iranian surface-to-air missile, forcing a second ejection in as many months. In accordance with CBS Information, which had beforehand reported on the incident, the pilot sustained critical accidents however was rescued after a number of hours. The second crew member evaded seize for practically two days earlier than being dropped at security.
Joint chiefs chairman commends the crew
Joint Chiefs Chairman Basic Dan Caine, talking at a White Home briefing after each crew members had been recovered, didn’t mince phrases in his evaluation of their conduct.
“The braveness demonstrated by each the pilot and the weapons system officer whereas remoted and them evading the enemy can’t be overstated,” Caine mentioned. “Their grit and warfighting tenacity is a direct results of absolutely the belief they’ve in our rescue forces, their coaching, and their will to outlive and return.”
Pentagon silent, consultants shocked
The Pentagon directed queries to US Central Command, which declined to touch upon the matter. Navy analysts, nevertheless, have been much less guarded of their response.
Retired Air Power Lieutenant Basic David Deptula – Dean of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Research and the principal assault planner for the air marketing campaign throughout Operation Desert Storm – instructed CBS Information the incident had few, if any, precedents in latest reminiscence.
Story continues under this advert
“It’s a extremely uncommon coincidence,” Deptula mentioned, including that he couldn’t recall a pilot being shot down in two separate incidents throughout the identical marketing campaign since probably the Vietnam Warfare.
“It’s like getting hit by lightning twice,” he mentioned.
Keep up to date with the most recent – Click on right here to observe us on Instagram
