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4h ago

Pentagon Signs Deal for Qatari Air Force Training Facility at Idaho Base

Officials stress the new Qatari presence is for training under U.S. control.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth salutes during a welcome ceremony for Qatar Minister of Defense Sheikh Saoud Al Thani, left, at the Pentagon, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025 in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
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Qatari Defense Minister Sheikh Saoud Al Thani (L) stands with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth during a welcoming ceremony at the Pentagon on October 10, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. Hegseth announced today that the Pentagon has agreed to host a new Qatari Emeri air force facility at the Mountain Home Airbase in Idaho.
Qatari Defense Minister Sheikh Saoud Al Thani (L) signs an agreement with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon on October 10, 2025 in Arlington, Virginia. The Pentagon has reportedly agreed to host a new Qatari Emeri air force facility at the Mountain Home Airbase in Idaho.

Overview

  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Qatari Defense Minister Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani signed a letter of acceptance authorizing a Qatari Emiri Air Force facility at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho.
  • The site will host Qatari F-15 fighter jets and pilots for joint training with U.S. aircrews to enhance interoperability and readiness.
  • Pentagon statements clarify Qatar is not receiving a sovereign base in the United States and that the U.S. retains command of the installation.
  • The project has been in planning for years, including a 2022 environmental review that outlined a beddown of up to 12 F-15QA aircraft and roughly 300 combined personnel over an initial 10-year timeline.
  • The move follows President Trump's executive order pledging U.S. protection for Qatar and has prompted political pushback as well as support from Idaho Rep. Mike Simpson, with detailed construction and operational timelines not yet disclosed.