President Trump Needs to Explain to Americans, the Importance of the Qatar Training Facility in Idaho
As part of a larger military and trade arrangement between Qatar and the United States, Qatar will be constructing a training facility at a U.S. Air Force base in Idaho.
Some are concerned that this base will lead to long-term local difficulties.
Its role is poorly understood locally.
It's incumbent on the Trump administration to explain this situation locally and nationally.
This is a great step forward for the United States and once Idahoans understand the good coming for the U.S., I am sure that they will embrace this significant development.
The facility will consist only of living quarters and support buildings on already-existing Mountain Home Air Force Base.
As Secretary of War Pete Hegseth related, "The location will host a contingent of Qatari F-15's and pilots to enhance our combined training (and) increase lethality and interoperability."
This situation is neither new or unique.
Approximately 45 miles southeast of Boise, Mountain Home Base already hosts a Republic of Singapore Air Force detachment for the exact same reasons.
In fact, hosting foreign service members is not new to the American military.
For decades Fort Bliss, Texas hosted West German air defense artillery troops who were working and training with their American counterparts.
The skills the Germans gained at Fort Bliss are critical in defending their country, Western Europe, and the NATO Alliance.
While not part of NATO, the Qatari forces trained by the U.S. will be integrated into the peaceful exploration of trade and resources in the Mideast via trade and peace treaties.
The United States will also have the advantage of being able to rely on these forces to conduct combat operations in the region without having to use American servicemembers.
In Qatar, the al-Udeid Air Base is America's largest military installation in the Mideast and home of U.S. Central Command’s forward headquarters.
The sister facility in Idaho is a small mirroring of the US’ enormous presence in the tiny Gulf Emirate.
Additionally, the trade deals and purchase arrangements with Qatar continue apace.
This year, Boeing received a $96-billion contract from Qatar Airways.
Boeing also produces the F-15s now being flown by the Qatari Air Force.
The importance of the billions of dollars’ worth of Qatari investment coming to the American aviation industry cannot be overstated.
The Qatari government proved its commitment to defend our al-Udeid Air Force Base, and the thousands of U.S. service members stationed there when Iran launched an attack at al-Udeid in response to President Trump's elimination of the Islamic
Republic's nuclear weapons program.
The incoming Iranian missiles were shot down by Patriot batteries purchased from America and operated by Qatari defense forces.
To expect Qatar to host and defend a U.S. combatant base on their soil while denying their pilots to train on an American base in American-made planes is unfair, ungenerous and, frankly, un-American.
Qatar’s extensive involvement in U.S. and regional defense warrants further explanation. Beyond footing the bill for the construction and operation of its Mountain Home training facility, Qatar is bankrolling its own defense at nearly seven percent of its gross domestic product, compared to approximately two percent for NATO nations.
Qatari military procurement officials know the best equipment comes from the United States. In the past 10 years, Qatar has purchased more than $30 billion worth of U.S. defense equipment. It is set to increase that number considerably in the coming months.
In allowing these purchases President Trump remembers a lesson from the past.
President Barack Obama blocked Egypt from buying American military equipment following the ouster of Egypt’s then-President Morsi.
Egypt, although a U.S. ally, had no choice but to turn to Russia for its military needs. American industry lost business and the relationship with Egypt was strained for years.
Critics cry that Hamas' leadership resides in Qatar.
This is true; these terrorists are there at our request. Qatar was asked by the United States to allow this and for Qatar to serve as an intermediary.
Because Hamas was designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department, direct dialog between Hamas and the American government is forbidden under US law and an intermediary is required.
Qatar stepped-up to willingly fill that role for us.
Further and most stunningly, Qatar will spend hundreds of billions to rebuild Gaza as part of the peace deal and at President Trump's request.
Qatari mediation was necessary in bringing the Israeli/Hamas conflict to an end. Qatari involvement is equally necessary in the long-term.
Like Jordan, Qatar is a constitutional monarchy. Both are the most progressive and pro-western governments in the Mideast. Qatar is a natural friend and ally.
Rather than undermining President Trump's progress in building regional and global security, the neo-cons and their cheerleaders on the left and on the right need to stop accepting half-truths as total fact, set their biases aside and start becoming part of the solution.
Mike Flanagan represented the 5th District of Illinois in the U.S. House of Representatives. For More of his Reports — Click Here Now.
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