Pentagon agrees to host Qatari F-15 fighter jets and pilots in Idaho

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced Friday that the Pentagon has agreed to host a new Qatari air force facility in Idaho, saying that the nation has played a “core part” in securing the Gaza peace deal.

Hegseth made the announcement during an enhanced honor cordon arrival ceremony at the Pentagon for Qatar’s Minister of Defense, Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

“Today, we’re announcing a letter of acceptance in building a Qatari Emiri Air Force facility at the Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho,” Hegseth said.

The new base will host Qatari F-15 fighter jets and pilots, enabling joint training operations with U.S. forces. The location will “enhance our combined training, increase lethality, interoperability,” Hegseth said.

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.

“No one other than President Trump could have achieved the peace—what we believe will be a lasting peace—in Gaza,” Hegseth said Friday.