General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHegseth 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.

Abnredleg
(1,218 posts)SamKnause
(14,519 posts)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)This training is at Mountain Home AFB, where Singapore already has an F15 training squadron.
Heres an article from 2022.
https://www.stripes.com/branches/air_force/2022-01-18/deal-qatar-air-rorce-members-idaho-base-4330963.html
SamKnause
(14,519 posts)EX500rider
(12,036 posts)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?
SamKnause
(14,519 posts)ImNotGod
(1,194 posts)EX500rider
(12,036 posts)CanonRay
(15,667 posts)ImNotGod
(1,194 posts)appleannie1
(5,358 posts)He meant to say we sold them planes and they will be trained to fly them in a base at Idaho.