Facility Will Be Constructed at Mountain Home Air Force Base for Pilot Training

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth recently announced plans to host the Qatari Emiri Air Force at Idaho’s Mountain Home Air Force Base, crediting the decision to Qatar’s role in hammering out the Gaza peace deal. The facility, which has already drawn some controversy, will be used to train pilots on Qatari F-15 fighter jets.

Hegseth revealed the plan during a joint ceremony with Qatar’s defense minister, Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. Both leaders signed a letter of acceptance authorizing construction of the new facility, which Hegseth described as a way to “enhance our combined training, increase lethality, interoperability.” The project will host Qatari F-15s and pilots for joint training to improve interoperability and combat readiness.

The deal is an extension of an ongoing partnership. In 2017, the US sold Qatar $12 billion worth of F-15s, followed by reports in 2022 that about 170 Qatari personnel would train at Mountain Home. The base already accommodates foreign forces, including Singapore’s air wing, and will now expand further to make room for the Qatari add-on.

Hegseth credited Qatar for its involvement in brokering peace in Gaza, calling the nation a “core part” of a “historic moment.” The announcement, however, comes amid continued scrutiny of the administration’s dealings with Doha, a nation once accused by the president of “funding terrorism.”

The reaction in Washington and online has been mixed. Idaho Representative Mike Simpson welcomed the decision, calling it “fantastic news” for his district and for US cooperation abroad. Others on the political right were less enthusiastic. Activist Laura Loomer condemned the move in a social media post, questioning why the US was “training more Muslims how to fly planes on US soil.”

FMI: www.mountainhome.af.mil