Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced on Friday the United States will establish a Qatari air force facility in Idaho. Hegseth made the announcement alongside Qatari Minister of Defense Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. “I’m also proud that today we’re signing a letter of acceptance to build a Qatari Emiri air force facility at the Mountain Home Airbase in Idaho,” Hegseth said. The facility will host Qatari F-15 fighter jets and pilots to “enhance our combined training, increase lethality, interoperability,” Hegseth added. Watch the announcement below: Hegseth: "I'm also proud that today we're signing a letter of acceptance to build a Qatari Emeri air force facility at the Mountain Home Airbase in Idaho." pic.twitter.com/gGEyoeq7OX — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 10, 2025 Fox News shared: He added that the project reflects the depth of the U.S.-Qatari defense partnership and thanked Qatar for its involvement in recent diplomatic efforts. “You have been a core part of what has unfolded in Gaza, a historic moment,” Hegseth said. “We’re grateful for the strong partnership that we have, the way you support our troops at Al Udeid, Your Excellency, the line of communication we’ve had together.” Al Thani echoed the same message, calling the Gaza peace deal a “historic achievement” that demonstrates “what can be accomplished when our nations work together.” President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that Israel and Hamas had agreed to a cease-fire, crediting Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey for their roles in mediating the deal. By Friday, Israel and Hamas had agreed to the first phase of the peace plan, which calls for the release of all hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from most of Gaza. “Mountain Home Air Force Base, located in Elmore County, already hosts Singapore’s air force F-15SG fighter jets,” The Hill noted. “We further welcome today’s signing of the letter of acceptance establishing a Qatari Emiri air force facility at Mountain Home Air Base in Idaho,” Al Thani said. Footage below: NOW – U.S. and Qatar sign deal to open a Qatari "air force facility," in the U.S., at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. pic.twitter.com/XnIaOXexid — Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) October 10, 2025 CBS News noted: President Trump signed an executive order last month “assuring the security of the state of Qatar,” following Israel’s decision to carry out a military strike in Qatar’s capital city of Doha, where the vast majority of Qataris live. “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 reads. Qatar also played a “substantial” role in the Israel-Hamas peace deal, as Hegseth said Friday and as other top administration officials have acknowledged.