Qatar will construct an Air Power facility at US’ Mountain Residence Air Power Base in Idaho, protection secretary Pete Hegseth introduced on Friday.Hegseth made the announcement on the Pentagon alongside Qatari Protection Minister Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, noting that the settlement will permit Qatari pilots to coach alongside US personnel.Hegseth stated he’s “proud that right this moment we’re signing a letter of acceptance to construct a Qatari Emiri Air Power Facility on the Mountain Residence Air Base in Idaho.”“The placement will host a contingent of Qatari F-15’s and pilots to boost our mixed coaching, improve lethality, interoperability, it is simply one other instance of our partnership,” he stated, as cited by CBS Information.“And I hope you recognize, your excellency, which you could rely on us.” Whereas the US doesn’t host any international army bases, a number of allied forces preserve coaching presences inside the nation. The Singaporean Air Power, as an example, additionally operates at Mountain Residence Air Power Base. “The US army has a long-standing partnership w/ Qatar, together with right this moment’s introduced cooperation w/ F-15QA plane. Nevertheless, to be clear, Qatar is not going to have their very own base within the United States-nor something like a base. We management the present base, like we do with all companions,” Hegseth later stated by way of a publish on X, clarifying that Qatar isn’t going to have its personal army base within the US. The announcement drew robust criticism from Trump ally and right-wing influencer Laura Loomer, who known as the plan “an abomination” and accused Qatar of ties to Islamic terrorist organizations.“No international nation ought to have a army base on US soil. Particularly Islamic international locations,” Loomer stated by way of a publish on social media.The announcement follows President Donald Trump’s latest government order pledging to make use of all measures, together with army drive, to defend Qatar, house to the biggest US army base within the Center East.Qatar additionally performed a “substantial” function within the Israel-Hamas peace settlement, Hegseth famous Friday, some extent echoed by different senior administration officers.Trump’s resolution to simply accept a luxurious Boeing 747-8 jet from Qatar to be used as a presidential aircraft has sparked debate over moral and nationwide safety implications. As soon as accomplished, the plane will function Air Power One.
