Six crew members ejected safely from three US F-15E fighter jets shot down over Kuwait on March 2, in what is believed to be a friendly fire incident during Operation Epic Fury.

• Ejection involves extreme G-forces, up to 20 times gravity, but modern ejection seats have a greater than 95% survival rate when used within recommended parameters.
• Major injuries occur in just under 30% of ejections, with spinal fractures being the most common, affecting up to 42%.
• Crew members face risks from windblast, potential oxygen deprivation, hypothermia, and injuries from canopy fragments or aircraft parts.