The new granite helipad on the White House South Lawn is now complete, paving the way for the U.S. Marine Corps’ VH-92A "Patriot" to routinely operate as "Marine One" from the White House grounds. The VH-92A had seen limited use for White House arrivals and departures because its downward directed exhaust can generate enough heat to scorch or damage the South Lawn. The Marine Corps had therefore continued using the older VH-3D helicopter for South Lawn operations. President Donald J. Trump approved construction of the permanent landing pad, with Sikorsky, the VH-92A manufacturer and a Lockheed Martin subsidiary, providing approximately $5 million to fund the project. The VH-92A is intended to replace the legacy presidential helicopter fleet and provide the president with secure presidential airlift for both routine and contingency operations. This image was posted to President Trump's Truth Social page yesterday.