Pentagon approves Qatari installation at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho

War Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Friday that the Pentagon had agreed to host a new Qatari UAE Air Force facility in Idaho, saying the nation played a “critical role” in bringing about the Gaza peace deal.

Hegseth made the announcement during a reinforced honor cord arrival ceremony at the Pentagon for Qatari Defense Minister Saud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

“Today we are announcing a letter of acceptance for the construction of a Qatari UAE Air Force facility at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho,” Hegseth said.

The new base will host Qatari F-15 fighter jets and pilots, enabling joint training operations with US forces. This site “will enhance our combined training, increase lethality and interoperability,” Hegseth said.

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U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, right, meets with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of Qatar Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani at the Pentagon in Washington, DC, October 10, 2025. (Reuters/Ken Cedeno)

He added that the project reflects the depth of the defense partnership between the United States and Qatar and thanked Qatar for its involvement in recent diplomatic efforts.

“You played a central role in what happened in Gaza, a historic moment,” Hegseth said. “We are grateful for the strong partnership we have, for the way you support our troops in Al Udeid, Your Excellency, for the line of communication we have had together.”

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An F-15E Strike Eagle, assigned to Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, takes off April 20, 2017. (Hum Images/Universal Images Group)

Al Thani echoed the same message, calling the Gaza peace deal a “historic achievement” that demonstrates “what can be accomplished when our nations work together. »

President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that Israel and Hamas had agreed to a ceasefire, recognizing the role of Qatar, Egypt and Turkey in mediating the deal.

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A team of F-35A Lightning IIs parks an aircraft at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, February 8, 2016. (Hum Images/Universal Images Group)

On Friday, Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of the peace plan, which calls for the release of all hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from most of Gaza.

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“No one but President Trump could have achieved peace – what we believe is lasting peace – in Gaza,” Hegseth said Friday.