WASHINGTON (FN) — U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday announced a new agreement with Qatar to establish a Qatari Emiri Air Force training facility at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, expanding military cooperation between the two nations.
The announcement was made during a joint press conference at the Pentagon with Qatar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani. The facility will host Qatari F-15 fighter jets and pilots for joint training with American forces.
Hegseth said the initiative would enhance combined training, improve combat readiness, and strengthen interoperability between the two air forces.
The plan sparked criticism from some conservative figures, including political activist Laura Loomer, who accused the administration of compromising national security and expressed outrage over Qatar’s presence on U.S. soil.
In 2017, former comments by President Donald Trump had accused Qatar of financing terrorism during a regional dispute involving several Arab nations. Qatar has consistently denied those allegations.
Responding to the backlash, Hegseth clarified that Qatar would not operate an independent base in the United States. He emphasized that the facility would remain under U.S. control, similar to existing arrangements with other allied nations.
The Pentagon did not issue an immediate comment on the announcement. Planning for the facility reportedly began years earlier, with assessments completed prior to the public disclosure.
The agreement comes amid growing ties between the Trump administration and Qatar. In recent months, the U.S. pledged to support Qatar’s security following regional tensions involving Hamas and Israel.
Earlier this year, the Qatari royal family gifted a Boeing 747 jet to the United States. Trump has expressed interest in converting the aircraft into a future version of Air Force One.
Meanwhile, Trump’s business ventures continue to expand across the Middle East, including luxury developments in Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, and Muscat, many involving partnerships with regional investment entities.
