Walter Reed Emergency Heliport

The heliport was closed as a direct result of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) commission's decision to shut down the Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC). The hospital's functions and services were merged with the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, to create the new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The closure was part of a strategic military consolidation and realignment, not due to economic, safety, or accident-related reasons.

The site of the former heliport has been completely redeveloped and no longer exists in its original form. The entire former WRAMC campus is being transformed into a large, mixed-use community called 'The Parks at Walter Reed.' The specific location of the heliport is now a large public park and event space known as 'The Great Lawn.' The concrete helipad and all associated military infrastructure have been removed and replaced with grass, walkways, and recreational areas for the new residential and commercial community.

The Walter Reed Emergency Heliport was a vital component of the U.S. military's medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) system for many decades. Its primary and most significant operation was receiving critically wounded service members from global conflicts, including the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Military helicopters, most notably the UH-60 Black Hawk, would transport patients from Joint Base Andrews directly to the heliport, ensuring they received immediate access to the world-class specialized and long-term care at WRAMC. For countless injured soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines, the sound of the helicopter landing at this site signified the end of a long and arduous journey home and the beginning of their recovery. It was an integral part of the hospital's mission as the premier medical facility for the U.S. Army.

There are zero plans or prospects for reopening the heliport. The military medical mission it served has been permanently relocated to the new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, which is equipped with its own modern helicopter landing facilities. The original site has been demilitarized, transferred to the District of Columbia, and is undergoing extensive civilian redevelopment that is incompatible with aviation operations.