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appleannie1

(5,358 posts)
Fri Oct 10, 2025, 01:57 PM Friday

Hegseth announces Qatar will build air force facility at U.S. base in Idaho

Washington — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday announced a finalized agreement that will allow the Qatari Emiri Air Force to build a facility at the Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho.

The agreement, which Hegseth announced alongside Qatari Minister of Defense Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani at the Pentagon, will allow Qatari pilots to receive training alongside U.S. soldiers. There are no foreign military bases in the U.S., but some foreign militaries do maintain a presence for training. The Singaporean Air Force also has a presence at the Mountain Home base.

Hegseth said he is "proud that today we're signing a letter of acceptance to build a Qatari Emiri Air Force Facility at the Mountain Home Air Base in Idaho."
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hegseth-qatar-air-force-facility-us-base-idaho/

Gee, that should go over big with the MAGA crowd. They hate Muslims and now they will have their own air base and planes to fly all over the US. Hmmmm.

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SamKnause

(14,519 posts)
2. Thanks for that information, but I think it sucks no matter whose idea it was.
Fri Oct 10, 2025, 02:12 PM
Friday

Do you understand the reasoning behind this ???

If you do can you explain or point me to where I can find the information ???

Thanks

Abnredleg

(1,218 posts)
4. It's common for foreign AFs to have training detachments in the US
Fri Oct 10, 2025, 02:24 PM
Friday

This training is at Mountain Home AFB, where Singapore already has an F15 training squadron.

Here’s an article from 2022.

https://www.stripes.com/branches/air_force/2022-01-18/deal-qatar-air-rorce-members-idaho-base-4330963.html

EX500rider

(12,036 posts)
5. Sucks why?
Fri Oct 10, 2025, 02:25 PM
Friday

They buy US planes and pay for training. Lots of countries who buy US planes get their training here.
Also the State of Qatar has little room for a dedicated Air Force training/bomb range.

Would it be better somehow if they bought their planes from France/Russia/China?

appleannie1

(5,358 posts)
11. Heggie now is saying he misspoke
Sat Oct 11, 2025, 11:47 AM
Saturday

He meant to say we sold them planes and they will be trained to fly them in a base at Idaho.

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