In a surprising turn of events, the United States has confirmed that Qatar will build its own air force facility at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. According to Time, the project will allow the Qatari Emiri Air Force to base its F-15 fighter jets and pilots on American soil as part of an expanding defense partnership between the two nations.
The agreement, announced by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, marks one of the most unusual foreign military collaborations on U.S. territory in recent memory. While Singapore has long operated training detachments at the same base, Qatar’s deal is different because it involves constructing a dedicated facility funded and controlled by a foreign government.
Supporters of the move argue that it strengthens defense ties between the U.S. and one of its most important Middle Eastern allies. Qatar has long hosted the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base, a crucial hub for operations in the region, and now Washington seems to be reciprocating by offering training space and support on American soil. Hegseth said the collaboration would deepen operational readiness and improve coordination between the two air forces.
But not everyone is pleased. Critics are questioning whether allowing a foreign military to build a permanent installation inside the U.S. could pose national security or sovereignty risks. As The Daily Beast reported, some defense analysts worry that Qatar’s complex ties in the Middle East could make the arrangement politically sensitive, particularly given its recent diplomatic balancing act with Iran and Hamas.
Another concern is the lack of transparency surrounding the deal. The Pentagon has not revealed how many Qatari personnel will be stationed in Idaho, what legal frameworks will govern their presence, or how the base’s operations will be monitored. Some lawmakers are already calling for oversight hearings to ensure the agreement does not bypass congressional review or U.S. defense regulations.
The timing of the announcement is also significant. As The Economic Times noted, the decision comes shortly after Qatar played a key diplomatic role in ceasefire talks involving Gaza, boosting its international visibility. The Idaho facility could be seen as both a reward for Qatar’s cooperation and a signal of trust between Washington and Doha.
For now, the plan remains under review, but the message is clear: Qatar is no longer content to be just a host for American forces in the Gulf. It wants to be a partner on U.S. soil, and that shift is already reshaping how both nations view their military and political alliance.