🇺🇸 Fort Wolters Army Heliport

Fort Wolters Army Heliport (US-2239), located in Mineral Wells, US, was officially closed for military service on February 1, 1973, with full deactivation by 1975. The closure was primarily due to post-Vietnam War drawdowns, as the need for a massive helicopter pilot training program diminished, and the helicopter school transferred to the U.S. Army Aviation School at Fort Rucker, Alabama.

Historically, Fort Wolters began as Camp Wolters in 1925, serving as a National Guard training camp. During World War II, it was a significant infantry replacement training center and a German prisoner-of-war camp, where notable figures like Audie Murphy and Vernon Baker underwent basic training. In 1956, it was re-established as the U.S. Army Primary Helicopter Center/School, later renamed Fort Wolters in 1963, and became instrumental during the Vietnam War, training over 40,000 helicopter pilots, including those for the Marine Corps and Air Force. An estimated 95% of all helicopter pilots who served in Vietnam received training at Fort Wolters.

Currently, the site is known as Wolters Industrial Park and hosts various businesses, a training center for the Texas Army National Guard, a branch of Weatherford College, and a summer camp. Portions of the land were transferred to the city of Mineral Wells, private businesses, Weatherford College, and Lake Mineral Wells State Park. An active aviation business, Fort Wolters Helicopters Heliport, also operates on the site.