The Department of Defense announced Friday that it will allow the Qatari air force to build a training facility at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, part of a new agreement that expands defense cooperation between Washington and Doha.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the agreement during a ceremony at the Pentagon with Qatari Defense Minister Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.
The Idaho facility will host Qatari F-15 fighter jets and pilots for joint training with U.S. aircrews. Hegseth said the project will “enhance our combined training, increase lethality and interoperability,” describing it as “another example” in the two nations partnership.
“I hope you know, your excellency, that you can count on us,” Hegseth added.
The Trump administration has steadily developed a closer relationship with Qatar, positioning the gulf state as a key ally in the region. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Sept. 29 declaring that any attack on Qatar would be considered a threat to U.S. security. The order followed an Israeli strike on Doha in early September that targeted Hamas officials but also killed a Qatari serviceman, prompting an apology from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Hegseth also credited Qatar for its “substantial role” in ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, framing the Idaho agreement as evidence of trust reinforced by recent diplomacy.
Qatar served as a main broker in the recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, working alongside the U.S., Egypt and Turkey to finalize a phased agreement. The deal calls for Hamas to release hostages in exchange for an initial Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza and the start of wider political talks.
The country also holds major non-NATO ally status and hosts Al Udeid Air Base, the largest U.S. military installation in the Middle East and home of thousands of American personnel.
Mountain Home has long hosted international training programs; Singapore’s air force operates F-15SG jets there under a similar arrangement with the U.S. Air Force.
Rep. Mike Simpson, an Idaho Republican, called the new partnership “fantastic news,” saying it strengthens the base’s mission and underscores America’s alliances.
Officials have not disclosed any further details about the partnership.