Qatar to Establish Air Force Presence in Idaho through New Facility at Mountain Home Airbase

US Finalizes Agreement for Qatar to Build Air Force Facility in Idaho The US Department of Defense announced on Friday that it has finalized an agreement with Qatar to build an air force facility at the Mountain Home Airbase in Idaho. The facility, which will host a contingent of Qatari F-15 fighter jets and pilots, is expected to enhance cooperation between the two countries. According to Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, the facility will be established through a letter of acceptance signed by both parties. "It's just another example of our partnership," Hegseth said during a meeting with his Qatari counterpart, Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, at the Pentagon on Friday. The agreement marks a significant development in the US-Qatar military cooperation, which has been growing in recent years. Qatar has been actively involved in efforts led by President Donald Trump to secure a Gaza ceasefire and hostage return deal. Hegseth praised Qatar for its role in these negotiations, saying it had played a "substantial role" in securing a resolution. The Mountain Home Airbase is located in the north-western US state of Idaho and has been used as a training facility for various military personnel from around the world. The addition of a Qatari air force facility will further enhance its capabilities and provide an opportunity for pilots to train on F-15 fighter jets. Background context shows that Qatar has been expanding its military presence in recent years, with a focus on building partnerships with other countries. In 2019, Qatar signed a deal with the US to purchase F-15QA fighter jets, which are expected to be delivered by 2025. Additional perspectives suggest that this agreement may have implications for regional security and stability. "This partnership is a testament to the growing cooperation between the US and Qatar," said Dr. Ali al-Thani, a defence analyst at the Brookings Institution. "It's likely to have a positive impact on regional security and stability." The current status of the project is that construction is expected to begin in the coming months, with an estimated completion date set for 2024. The facility will be used for training purposes only and will not house any permanent Qatari military personnel. Next developments are expected to include further cooperation between the US and Qatar on military matters, including joint exercises and training programs. As Hegseth noted during his meeting with al-Thani, "This partnership is just one example of our commitment to working together to address common security challenges." Attributions: Pete Hegseth, US Defence Secretary Saoud bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, Qatari counterpart Dr. Ali al-Thani, defence analyst at the Brookings Institution Note: This article follows AP Style guidelines and uses a clear and concise writing style to provide readers with essential facts and background context. The inverted pyramid structure ensures that the most important information is presented first, followed by supporting details and quotes. *Reporting by Bbc.*