The US and Qatar have signed an agreement to build a Qatari air force facility in Idaho.
Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth announced on Friday that the facility at the Mountain Home Air Base will host a contingent of F-15s and pilots to enhance combined training and increase "interoperability" and "lethality".
"The establishment of an enduring location for Qatari F-15 aircraft at Mountain Home Air Force Base provides Qatar with strategic flexibility to operate and sustain their advanced fighter aircraft," a US official told The National.
The deal builds on an older agreement and its announcement comes as Washington looks to reassure Qatar of the US commitment to bilateral security ties after Israel bombed Doha last month in a strike targeting Hamas officials.
President Donald Trump forced Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to apologise to Doha and issued an executive order to guarantee Qatar’s security – including by taking military action – if the country comes under attack.
"It's just another example of our partnership," Mr Hegseth said alongside Qatari Defence Minister Sheikh Saoud Al Thani, after thanking Doha for its leadership on Gaza peace talks. "I hope you know, Your Excellency, that you can count on us."
Friday's development follows a $12 billion deal signed between Washington and Doha in 2017 for the sale of F-15QA fighter aircraft. The Idaho Statesman reported in 2022 that Qatari personnel were scheduled to begin arriving in 2023 or 2024 after the approval of the Secretary of the Air Force.
"We welcome President Trump's executive order reaffirming American commitment to Qatar's security and sovereignty," Sheikh Saoud said. "It reflects the strength of our alliances and our shared belief that peace is the best preserved through strength".
Mountain Home has been used since 2009 by Singapore's air force, which has a detachment of F-15SG combat aircraft there as well as personnel.
The base is home to about 5,100 troops in the 366th Fighter Wing, which "has the firepower of more than 50 F-15E Strike Eagles", according to its website.
Qatar is home to the US Al Udeid Air Base, which currently hosts about 8,000 American troops. The base is the forward headquarters of US Central Command ad was hit in a strike carried out by Iran earlier this year.
The US and Qatar reached a deal in January last year to extend the American military presence at the base, which was used in the fight against ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
Qatar this year gifted Mr Trump a jumbo jet to use as Air Force One. The transaction drew criticism but the President said he would be "stupid" not to take the plane.
