The U.S. wants to allow Qatar to build an Air Force facility in Idaho. Per CNN, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the plans on Friday, saying the facility at Mountain Home Air Force Base would host Qatari F-15 fighter jets and allow pilots to train alongside U.S. troops.

Hegseth, who appeared at Friday’s meeting with his Qatari counterpart, Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, at the Pentagon, said this plan will strengthen the two countries’ partnership.

“The location will host a contingent of Qatari F-15s and pilots to enhance our combined training, increase the lethality, interoperability,” Hegseth said, per CNN. “It’s just another example of our partnership. And I hope you know, Your Excellency, that you can count on us.”

Al-Thani also raved about the partnership, saying Qatar welcomes “the signing of the letter of acceptance, establishing a Qatar Emiri Air Force facility at Mountain Home Air Base in Idaho.”

“This step strengthens interoperabilities, enhances joint readiness, and advances our shared defense goals. Mr. Secretary, together we will continue to deepen this strategic partnership in pursuit of lasting peace and shared security,” Al-Thani said, per CNN.

Are there any foreign military bases in the U.S.?

Per CBS News, foreign military bases do not currently exist in the U.S. However, some foreign militaries — such as the Singaporean Air Force at the Mountain Home base — have a presence in the U.S. for training.

Hegseth also clarified on Friday that Qatar is not getting its own base in the U.S.

“The U.S. military has a long-standing partnership w/ Qatar, including today’s announced cooperation w/ F-15QA aircraft. However, to be clear, Qatar will not have their own base in the United States-nor anything like a base. We control the existing base, like we do with all partners,” Hegseth wrote on X.

Important clarification:

The U.S. military has a long-standing partnership w/ Qatar, including today’s announced cooperation w/ F-15QA aircraft. However, to be clear, Qatar will not have their own base in the United States—nor anything like a base. We control the existing base,…
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) October 10, 2025

What was the agreement Donald Trump signed with Qatar?

In September, Donald Trump signed an executive order “assuring the security of the state of Qatar.” The agreement came after Israel carried out a military strike in Doha, Qatar’s capital.

“The United States shall regard any armed attack on the territory, sovereignty, or critical infrastructure of the State of Qatar as a threat to the peace and security of the United States,” the executive order stated, per CBS News.

Hegseth also said on Friday that Qatar played a key role in making the Israel-Hamas peace deal possible.

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