Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author alone and may not reflect the editorial position of ClarkCountyToday.com
The new helicopter pad at the White House cost somewhere between $5-6 million. Why did the taxpayers have to pay for a new Helicopter Pad on the South Lawn of the White House!!? They didn’t. Lockheed/Sikorsky funded it as a private contribution rather than using taxpayer money. It was routed through the National Park Service which maintains the White House grounds.
What’s in it for Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin? The new VH-92A Patriot helicopters (which entered service in 2024), rarely landed at the White House. The old pad was repaved asphalt. The new permanent granite pad, which is four inches thick, replaced the one where Marine One landed directly on the South Lawn grass on a metal disc.
The VH-92A Patriot helicopter is 2.5 times more powerful than the 40-year-old fleet that is being replaced. Their rotor wash was ripping out the grass and Sikorsky felt they should replace the pad.
The pad was also redone to make the pad level so it has a dual purpose. It is a safe place to land the new helicopters, and it serves as a place to have gatherings. As Trump would say, “more winning”.
So let the nay sayers nay say. The American people have a Big Beautiful Helicopter Pad at the White House, the people’s house and it didn’t cost them a dime.
Anna Miller
Camas
