Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced an agreement to build a Qatari Emiri Air Force facility at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, enabling Qatari F‑15 pilots to train with U.S. personnel. Speaking at the Pentagon alongside Qatari Defense Minister Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Hegseth framed the project as boosting lethality and interoperability. The base hosts Singaporean F‑15s. The move comes amid deepening ties between the Trump administration and Qatar: after Israel proceeded with a strike in Doha, the president issued an order assuring Qatar’s security; the administration accepted a Qatari‑gifted Boeing 747, drawing criticism, as Trump businesses expand in the region.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.