Iranian Air Force personnel have publicly described the operation behind an airstrike on a US military base in Kuwait that was carried out during the height of the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel earlier this year.
In a televised interview aired on Wednesday, a commander and two crew members involved in the mission recounted how Iranian F-5 fighter jets targeted Camp Buehring, a major US military installation in Kuwait, during an operation conducted in early March, per a report by Hindustan Times.
Flying below radar detection
According to the commander, the mission was launched in response to what Iran viewed as renewed aggression from the United States.
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"We immediately wanted to carry out a retaliatory operation," he said per HT report, describing Camp Buehring as "a highly strategic base with one of the highest troop concentrations and capacities".
Iran's state news agency Press TV reported that the strike was completed in roughly 50 minutes and involved flying at extremely low altitude to avoid detection.
“We were practically skimming the ground… We would even pass beneath power lines,” the commander said.
"The training standard is about 500 feet, but we were flying below 50 feet."
Describing part of the route, he added, "We passed between two vessels so low that their decks were higher than us… The sailors had to come down and look over the railings just to see us pass beneath them."
Bombing mission and escape
Per HT, the commander said the pilots maintained radio silence throughout the mission despite the presence of Patriot missile systems, AWACS surveillance aircraft and fighter jets.
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Once inside Kuwaiti airspace, the aircraft shifted to direct overflight in order to deploy free-fall bombs.
“We had to fly directly over the target… As soon as we reached the base, we carried out a heavy bombing,” he said.
He claimed the strike caused extensive damage and alleged that enemy aircraft were destroyed during the operation.
“Three (enemy) F-15 aircraft… were mistakenly engaged and destroyed simultaneously,” the commander said.
Discussing the withdrawal, he stated, “After the bombing, we carried out a deception maneuver… They were unable to track or intercept us.”
Tensions continue despite peace efforts
The operation formed part of a wider exchange involving attacks and counterattacks across the region. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps later said strikes on US facilities in Kuwait were conducted in response to American actions against Iran.
Although Washington and Tehran have since agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding as a step toward ending the conflict, negotiations on a final settlement are still expected to follow.
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FAQs:
What target did Iran say it struck in Kuwait?
Iran said the operation targeted Camp Buehring, a US military base in Kuwait.
How low did Iranian pilots claim they flew during the mission?
The commander said the aircraft flew below 50 feet to avoid radar detection.
