Qatar to Build Air Force Facility in Idaho, Boosting US Partnership

WASHINGTON D.C.: The U.S. has finalized an agreement allowing Qatar to build a dedicated air force facility at the Mountain Home Airbase in Idaho, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced at the Pentagon on Friday. The facility is intended to train pilots from the Gulf state on flying F-15 fighter jets.

Defense Secretary Hegseth confirmed the agreement during a meeting with his Qatari counterpart, Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani.

“I’m proud that today we’re signing a letter of acceptance to build a Qatari Emiri Air Force Facility at the Mountain Home Airbase in Idaho,” Hegseth stated.

The facility will host a contingent of Qatari F-15s and pilots to “enhance our combined training, increase lethality, and interoperability,” Hegseth added, calling it “just another example of our partnership.” The Pentagon chief did not disclose how many Qatari F-15s would be based at the Idaho facility or its operational timeline.

Praise for Gaza Ceasefire Role
Hegseth also took the opportunity to praise Qatar for playing a “substantial role” in securing the recent Gaza ceasefire and hostage return deal, efforts led by President Donald Trump. Qatar, alongside Egypt and Turkey, acted as an active mediator during months of indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas.

Strengthening the Security Pact
The agreement further cements the robust security ties between Washington and Doha. Last month, President Trump signed an executive order pledging to use all measures, including the U.S. military, to defend Qatar. This order was signed following Israeli airstrikes targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar’s capital, Doha.

Qatar already hosts the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East, Al-Udeid, which serves as the headquarters for all U.S. air operations in the region.