An American pilot was caught on camera smiling with gratitude at Kuwaiti rescuers after mistakenly being shot down by Kuwaiti air defenses during operations against Iran, according to widely circulated footage.
The video, which has rapidly gained attention online, shows the pilot standing with apparent ease after ejecting safely from her F-15 fighter jet due to what appears to be a friendly fire incident on Sunday.
As the rescuers approached, one man called out, “You’re fine? Really? Do you need anything?” showing concern for her well-being.
The pilot assured them she was unharmed. In response, the rescuer expressed his relief, saying, “Thank you for helping us.”
In a gesture of acknowledgment, the pilot raised her hands, seemingly to convey, “You’re welcome.”
The pilot then raised her hands, as if to say, “You’re welcome.”
That footage remains unconfirmed, but it was one of several videos that have emerged purporting to show some of the six US service members who ejected after three F-15s were mistakenly shot down by Kuwait.
All six of the troops landed safely after they ejected, US forces have confirmed.
The planes were “mistakenly” downed by Kuwaiti defenses, the United States’ Central Command confirmed, as the country was responding to Iranian strikes in retaliation for the joint US-Israeli attacks on Tehran that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and over 40 of his top officials Saturday.
Iran has been slinging rockets and drones at US-interests and western-aligned nations since the attacks.
The US and Israel, meanwhile, have been pressing the attack. President Trump cautioned it could be weeks before his campaign to neutralize the Iranian regime ended.
At least six US service members have been killed in the fray so far, with the president also warning that casualties were only expected to increase.
