Mountain Home base picked to host Saudi jets

BOISE — The Mountain Home Air Force Base will be the future training headquarters for a squadron of fighter jets owned by the Royal Saudi Air Force. Idaho’s congressional delegation today cheered news the base east of Boise has been selected for the training mission. The base beat out others competing for the mission in Utah, New Mexico and Nevada. The training is part of an overall $60 billion arms package between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States. It includes 84 new F-15E fighter jets. Officials say final details have yet to be worked out. But the training squadron will likely include 12 jets, 50 pilots and more than 100 maintenance staff. U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson says the decision is good news for the base and community and economy of Mountain Home.