War Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the Qatari Air Force would be training at a U.S. facility in Idaho on Oct. 10, 2025. (Alex Wroblewski/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
"In 2017, the U.S. and Qatar finalized a $12 billion agreement for F-15QA fighter aircraft, part of a broader package approved by Congress and valued at up to $21.1 billion in U.S. foreign military sales to Qatar," Hamad continued. "This arrangement was years in the making and is similar to existing programs between the United States and several of its international allies."
"It represents a continued expression of the strong defense partnership between Qatar and the United States, including ongoing cooperation to further expand our collective defense capabilities," Hamad added.
President Donald Trump’s secretary of war reaffirmed that Qataris "will not have their own base" in a social media post around the time the deal was announced.
"Important clarification," Hegseth said in a post on X. "The U.S. military has a long-standing partnership w/ Qatar, including today’s announced cooperation w/ F-15QA aircraft."
President Donald Trump and Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani during Trump's visit to Doha, Qatar, in May. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
"We request that you provide a briefing to the Idaho Congressional Delegation, as well as for the Governor of Idaho and state legislators potentially impacted by the agreement, in Boise on the details of this agreement," the governor and members of Congress added.
SECRETARY OF WAR PETE HEGSETH SAYS US CONDUCTED ITS NINTH STRIKE AGAINST ALLEGED DRUG VESSELS
Simpson, who joined in on the letter, initially praised the move after its announcement.
"Fantastic news for Mountain Home Air Force Base as @SecWar just announced the Pentagon has agreed to host Qatari F-15 fighter jets and pilots here in Idaho," Simpson’s post read. "This development is beneficial for training, enhances our partnership with America's allies, and strengthens national security."
An F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, where Qataris will soon train fighter pilots after an agreement between the Middle Eastern country and the U.S. (Hum Images/Universal Images Group)
"As I await further details about the agreement, I will continue working with Air Force and Mountain Home base leadership to ensure they have the support necessary to fulfill goals of global military readiness that keep Idahoans and Americans safe and protect our long-term national security interests," Crapo said in a statement.
While the U.S. base in Doha, Qatar, is considered U.S. soil, the training facility in Idaho will not be considered Qatari soil and will remain under U.S. control.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Fox News Digital reached out to Little's office but did not receive a response by the time of publication.
Preston Mizell is a writer with Fox News Digital covering breaking news. Story tips can be sent to Preston.Mizell@fox.com and on X @MizellPreston
Preston Mizell is a writer with Fox News Digital covering breaking news.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/qatari-embassy-official-reveals-biden-admin-role-new-idaho-training-facility-finalized-under-trump