Overview

• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a Qatari Emiri Air Force facility at Mountain Home Air Force Base to host Qatari F-15s and pilots for combined training and interoperability.
• He later clarified that Qatar will not have its own base in the United States and that the U.S. retains control of the existing installation, consistent with other partner arrangements.
• Far-right activist Laura Loomer condemned the plan, accused Qatar of financing extremist groups as her allegation, and declared she will not vote in 2026.
• Conservative reactions included speculation that Loomer might leave the GOP, amplified by a Roger Stone retweet, though she has not explicitly said she is quitting the party.
• Qatar and U.S. officials pointed to a longstanding security partnership; Qatar said it will fund construction and maintain a dedicated training facility within the U.S. base under an initial 10-year commitment.