Trump Administration Announces Qatar to Build Military Facility at Idaho Airbase
In a move that has sparked controversy among some supporters of former President Donald Trump, the Defense Department announced on Friday that Qatar will build a military facility at the Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. The agreement, which was signed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Qatari Minister of Defense Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, allows for the construction of a site where Emiri Air Force pilots can train on F-15 jets.
According to Hegseth, the facility will be built on existing U.S. property, with Qatar contributing funding and resources for its construction. "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 during the signing ceremony.
However, some MAGA supporters have expressed concerns that the agreement allows Qatar to establish its own military base within U.S. territory. "This is largely a fake story," J.D. Vance, a Trump ally and former Senate candidate, said on Fox News Sunday. "We continue to have with countries like Qatar, who are our allies and friends."
The facility will be used for training purposes only, with the F-15 jets being provided by the U.S. military. The agreement is seen as a way to strengthen ties between the two nations and enhance regional security.
Background on the agreement shows that it has been in the works since 2023, when the U.S. and Qatar signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining plans for cooperation in defense and security matters. The MOU was seen as a key step in deepening ties between the two nations, which have been cooperating on counter-terrorism efforts and other regional security initiatives.
The construction of the facility is expected to begin soon, with completion slated for 2027. The project will be overseen by the U.S. military's base management team, with Qatar providing personnel and resources to support the training program.
As news of the agreement spread, some critics took to social media to express their concerns about the deal. "This is a betrayal of everything we stand for as Americans," one Twitter user wrote. However, others saw the agreement as a positive step forward in strengthening regional security.
The implications of the agreement are significant, with some analysts seeing it as a sign of growing cooperation between the U.S. and Qatar on defense and security matters. "This is an important development in our relationship with Qatar," said one Pentagon official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "It demonstrates our commitment to regional security and our willingness to work together with our allies and partners."
As the project moves forward, it remains to be seen how this agreement will impact U.S.-Qatar relations and regional security dynamics. One thing is clear: the construction of a Qatari military facility at the Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho has sparked a heated debate about the role of foreign militaries on U.S. soil.
Byline: Peter Wade, reporting from Washington D.C.
*Reporting by Rollingstone.*
