Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed a letter of acceptance on Friday allowing the construction of a Qatari air force facility at the Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho.
The base, located to the south of Boise, will host a contingent of Qatari F-15 fighter jet pilots for enhanced training opportunities, Hegseth announced alongside Qatari Minister of Defense Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.
Hegseth acknowledged the “substantial role” Qatar played in mediating a peace deal that Israel and Hamas agreed to earlier this week and called Friday’s announcement “just another example of our partnership.”
The U.S. currently has a similar partnership with the Singaporean Air Force, which flies F-15SG fighter jets at the same base in Elmore County, Idaho.
Many countries have agreements to use U.S. military bases. Multiple European nations train pilots at the Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas, and the Egyptian Armed Forces conduct training exercises with the Texas National Guard.
In a statement to the Deseret News, Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo said he is still waiting for “further details about the agreement.”
Crapo promised to continue working with the U.S. Air Force “to ensure they have the support necessary to fulfill goals of global military readiness that keep Idahoans and Americans safe.”
Idaho Rep. Mike Simpson, who represents the 2nd Congressional District which includes Mountain Home, called the announcement “fantastic news,” in a post on X.
“This development is beneficial for training, enhances our partnership with America’s allies, and strengthens national security,” Simpson said.
During Friday’s press conference, Hegseth framed the new agreement as building on President Donald Trump’s track record of achieving peace and building partnerships in the Middle East.
“No one other than President Trump could have achieved the peace that we believe will be a lasting peace in Gaza,” Hegseth said.
The agreement between the U.S. and Qatar is also the latest in a series of efforts from the Trump administration to strengthen ties with the oil- and gas-rich country.
On Sept. 29, Trump issued an executive order guaranteeing the security and territorial integrity of Qatar. The order stated that any attack on Qatar would be considered a threat to U.S. national security.
A day earlier Qatar had mediated the release of a U.S. citizen in a prisoner exchange with Afghanistan.
The White House sparked controversy in May when Trump accepted a luxury Boeing 747-8 jet to serve as the new Air Force One from the government of Qatar.
On Friday, the Qatari Minister of Defense said his country’s growing relationship with the Trump administration reflected “a common vision for peace and stability in the Middle East.”
“These steps strengthen interoperability, enhances joint readiness and advances our shared defense goals,” Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said.
