WASHINGTON (BN24)— Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Friday that Qatar will construct a new air force facility at the Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho as part of a deepening military partnership between the two nations.
Speaking at the Pentagon alongside Qatari Minister of Defense Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Hegseth said the finalized agreement will allow Qatari pilots to train alongside U.S. forces on American soil.
“I’m proud that today we’re signing a letter of acceptance to build a Qatari Emiri Air Force Facility at the Mountain Home Air Base in Idaho,” Hegseth said. “The location will host a contingent of Qatari F-15s and pilots to enhance our combined training, increase lethality, and interoperability. It’s just another example of our partnership. And I hope you know, your excellency, that you can count on us.”
While no foreign military bases exist within the United States, foreign militaries maintain training presences. Singapore’s air force already operates from Mountain Home under a similar arrangement. The new Qatari facility will expand that cooperative model.
The announcement follows President Donald Trump’s executive order last month “assuring the security of the state of Qatar” after Israel launched a military strike on Doha, Qatar’s capital. “The United States shall regard any armed attack on the territory, sovereignty, or critical infrastructure of the State of Qatar as a threat to the peace and security of the United States,” the order states.
Qatar has also played a substantial role in recent diplomatic efforts, including the Israel–Hamas peace deal, which U.S. officials have described as pivotal to regional stability. Hegseth praised Qatar’s involvement during the announcement, emphasizing the shared defense objectives of both countries.
Trump’s acceptance of a luxury Boeing 747-8 jetliner from Qatar to serve as a future Air Force One has also drawn scrutiny in Washington, with critics raising concerns over ethics and national security.
The Mountain Home project marks a new chapter in U.S.–Qatar defense cooperation, reflecting both nations’ strategic alignment in military training and security commitments.
