Amberg Army Airfield

Military base closure and realignment. The primary reason was the geopolitical shift after the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact and the reunification of Germany, which rendered many U.S. forward-deployed bases, including the one in Amberg, strategically redundant. The closure was part of the U.S. Army's major force reduction in Europe.

The site of the former Amberg Army Airfield has been completely redeveloped and integrated into the city of Amberg. The area is now a commercial and industrial park (Gewerbegebiet Amberg-Süd). The land is occupied by various businesses, including logistics centers, manufacturing plants, and retail outlets. There are no visible remnants of the original heliport infrastructure, such as hangars, helipads, or the control tower.

Amberg Army Airfield was not a large, fixed-wing airport but rather a U.S. Army Heliport (USAHP). Its primary function was to provide aviation support to the U.S. Army units stationed at Pond Barracks, which primarily hosted armored cavalry and artillery units throughout the Cold War. Operations included:
- **Logistical Support:** Transporting personnel, mail, and light cargo using utility helicopters like the UH-1 Iroquois ('Huey').
- **Command and Control:** Providing liaison and transport flights for command staff.
- **Reconnaissance:** Supporting ground units with observation helicopters like the OH-58 Kiowa.
- **Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC):** Standing by to provide emergency medical transport.
- **Training Support:** The heliport was a vital link for units training at the major nearby Grafenwöhr and Hohenfels Training Areas. Its strategic importance was tied to its location near the Czechoslovakian border (the Iron Curtain), serving as a forward support element for NATO's defense posture in Central Europe.

There are zero plans or prospects for reopening the airfield. The land has been fully and permanently converted to civilian industrial and commercial use. The original aviation infrastructure was completely removed decades ago, and the area is now heavily developed. The general aviation needs for the region are served by the civil airfield Flugplatz Amberg-Schafhof (EDPQ), located a few kilometers to the northeast.