Monday, October 13, 2025- Qatar is constructing a new air force training facility at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, marking a deepening of military cooperation between Doha and Washington.
The project, fully funded by Qatar, will support the training of Qatari pilots and crews operating F-15 fighter jets purchased from the U.S. The base will remain under American command, ensuring the facility operates within U.S. jurisdiction.
Officials say the move addresses Qatar’s lack of airspace and range for advanced jet exercises at home. Idaho’s wide-open terrain and desert climate offer a near-perfect environment for realistic drills.
The partnership will also boost interoperability between Qatari and American forces, enhancing coordination for regional and joint missions.
Defense analysts view the project as part of Qatar’s broader strategy to modernize its military and reinforce its role as a key U.S. ally in the Gulf. While critics have questioned foreign involvement on U.S. soil, Pentagon officials stress this is a training partnership not a foreign base symbolizing trust and long-term defense cooperation.
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