Qatari Air Force training coming to Mountain Home Air Force Base

MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced Friday that the Qatari Air Force will send personnel to Elmore County, as the Mountain Home Air Force Base is set to host fighter pilots.

Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson also confirmed via X, formerly Twitter, that Qatari Air Force personnel will be coming to the Mountain Home Air Force Base. In the X post, Simpson stated, "Fantastic news for Mountain Home Air Force Base as [Hegseth] just announced the Pentagon has agreed to host Qatari F-15 fighter jets and pilots here in Idaho."

In a video obtained by KTVB via CNN News, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth discusses the announcement. Hegseth states to the Qatari Minister of Defense Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, "You can count on us."

Hegseth also extends thanks to the Minister of Defense.

The defense minister adds that this move will help advance "our shared defense goals." He also emphasized lasting peace through this deal.

Terri Pickens, Democratic candidate for Idaho Governor in 2026, released a statement regarding the deal:

"Qatar building a U.S. Air Force facility in Idaho? For a $400 million airplane, they got a better deal than the Louisiana Purchase. This isn’t just a foreign-relations issue, it’s a direct threat to Idaho’s sovereignty, our security, and the rights of Idahoans. We should never allow a foreign government to do contracting work that Americans can do, especially when it’s paid for with our tax dollars. Letting outsiders build our military infrastructure poses serious security and intelligence risks. Governor Little must stop this deal before it goes any further."