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4h ago

U.S., Qatar Sign Deal for Qatari Air Force Facility at Idaho Base

The Pentagon's approval deepens a long-planned training arrangement under U.S. jurisdiction.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth meets with Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., U.S., October 10, 2025. REUTERS/Ken Cedeno/File Photo
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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.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced an agreement for the Qatari Emiri Air Force to build a facility at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho alongside Qatari Defense Minister Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. (Photo by Alex Wroblewski / AFP)

Overview

  • Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Qatari Defense Minister Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani signed a letter of acceptance at the Pentagon authorizing construction at Mountain Home Air Force Base.
  • The facility will host a contingent of Qatari F-15s and pilots training alongside U.S. aircrews to enhance combined readiness and interoperability.
  • A source familiar with the agreement said the site will be located within the U.S. base and under U.S. control, aligning with precedents such as Singapore’s F-15 detachment at Mountain Home.
  • The plan stems from Qatar’s 2017 F-15QA purchase, with a 2022 environmental assessment envisioning about 12 aircraft and roughly 300 personnel; final contracting and timelines have not been disclosed.
  • The move follows President Trump’s new security guarantee to Qatar and Qatar’s role in brokering the Gaza ceasefire, prompting support from some officials and vocal pushback from conservative activists.