US Qatar Alliance

In a landmark decision that signals a new phase in Washington’s defence diplomacy, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced that Qatar will establish an air force facility within the Mountain Home Air Base in Idaho.

The arrangement will allow Qatari F-15 fighter jets and pilots to train alongside US forces, deepening operational coordination between the 2 allies.

The announcement came shortly after President Donald Trump signed an executive order pledging to defend Qatar following Israeli airstrikes in Doha that targeted Hamas leaders.

Standing next to Qatari Defence Minister Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani at the Pentagon, Hegseth described the initiative as a powerful demonstration of trust & military cooperation, assuring, “Your Excellency, you can count on us.”

Hegseth clarified that the new site would remain under full US control, emphasising that “Qatar will not have their own base in the US nor anything like it.” The Mountain Home facility already hosts a Singaporean fighter detachment & the addition of Qatari personnel is expected to enhance interoperability among allied air forces.

Qatar’s contribution to recent Israel–Hamas truce negotiations & its role in securing the release of a US hostage from Afghanistan were also cited as reasons for the strengthened partnership. The Qatari minister hailed the move as a milestone in the enduring strategic relationship between the 2 nations.

However, the decision has stirred unease among parts of Trump’s political base. Far right commentator Laura Loomer accused the administration of handing a military base to terror financing Muslims, a claim quickly rebuffed by Hegseth.

With Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar already serving as the largest US military installation in the Middle East, the Idaho facility further cements Doha’s position as one of Washington’s most crucial security partners in the region.

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