Pentagon Officials Inspect Walter Reed Damage, Promise Resources for Infrastructure Repairs
February 7, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senior Pentagon officials, including the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, visited Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Tuesday to assess the damage caused by a recent electrical fire and pledged to provide the necessary resources to address the infrastructure problems that contributed to the incident.
The fire, which broke out in a utility closet on February 4, caused significant damage to the hospital’s electrical and mechanical systems, forcing the evacuation of patients and staff. While there were no reported injuries, the fire highlighted the need for urgent attention to the aging infrastructure at Walter Reed.
During their visit, the Pentagon officials met with hospital staff, toured the damaged areas, and received briefings on the hospital’s modernization plans. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin expressed his gratitude to the staff for their professionalism and dedication in the face of adversity.
“Walter Reed is a vital part of our military healthcare system, and we are committed to ensuring that it has the resources it needs to provide the best possible care to our service members and their families,” said Secretary Austin.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley echoed Secretary Austin’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of a modern and reliable healthcare facility for the armed forces.
“Our service members deserve the best healthcare possible, and that includes having access to state-of-the-art facilities,” said General Milley. “We are going to work closely with Walter Reed to ensure that they have the tools and resources they need to provide that care.”
Hospital officials presented the Pentagon officials with a plan for addressing the infrastructure problems, including upgrades to the electrical and mechanical systems, as well as renovations to the hospital’s aging wards. The estimated cost of the repairs is expected to be in the billions of dollars.
The Pentagon officials committed to providing the necessary funding to implement the modernization plan and promised to work with Congress to secure additional resources if needed.
“We will not rest until Walter Reed is fully restored and able to meet the needs of our service members and their families,” said Secretary Austin.
The visit by the Pentagon officials is a clear indication of the importance they place on addressing the infrastructure problems at Walter Reed. It is hoped that the modernization plans will not only repair the damage caused by the fire but also ensure that the hospital remains a world-class healthcare facility for generations to come.
Pentagon Officials Examine Damage at Walter Reed, Pledge Resources Needed to Fix Infrastructure Problems
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