NAVY CLOSURE TASK FORCE - RED HILL (NCTF-RH)
On March 7, 2022, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III issued an order to defuel and permanently close the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility (RHBFSF).
To execute the mission of defueling, Secretary of Defense Austin established Joint Task Force - Red Hill (JTF-RH) which completed its defueling mission in early 2024. SecDef also authorized the establishment of Navy Closure Task Force – Red Hill (NCTF-RH) to be responsible for leading closure and long-term environmental remediation efforts at Red Hill.
On March 28, 2024, the transition from the JTF to the NCTF was completed via a formal ceremony announcing that the NCTF had achieved Full Operational Capability (FOC). NCTF-RH FOC entails new leadership, nearly 200 personnel, including active duty and reserve service members, Navy civilians, and contractors with backgrounds in engineering, science, logistics, environmental remediation, legal, community engagement, and administration.
Under the Department of the Navy's RHBFSF Closure Plan conditionally approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH), NCTF-RH is responsible for completing the following four phases of closure:
- Removing approximately 28,000 gallons of sludge from tanks;
- Cleaning 16 fuel storage tanks and 4 surge tanks (4 fuel storage tanks already cleaned);
- Deconstructing and removing more than 10 miles of pipeline between the facility and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam;
- Long term environmental remediation around the Red Hill facility.
The mission of the Navy Closure Task Force - Red Hill (NCTF-RH) is to execute the permanent decommissioning of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility (RHBFSF) safely and expeditiously, and continue long-term environmental remediation in coordination with State and Federal stakeholders in order to protect public health and the environment.
Navy Closure Task Force - Red Hill (NCTF-RH) Logo
The NCTF-RH logo symbolizes our commitment to approach this project with great respect for the land, water, and people of Hawaii. The blue skies represent the beauty of the islands, and the clouds represent the natural cycle that renews the land and people with fresh water. The rainbow not only represents hope and optimism for the future, but connects the land and sky, reminding us we are all united. The mountains bring fresh water from the highest elevations to sea level and eventually into the aquifer. Because clean water is at the heart of all NCTF-RH efforts, a drop of water exists alongside the Navy anchor. The two shaking hands inside the water droplet represent the Navy's commitment to working with the community towards the same goal: safe, clean drinking water for all generations to come. The blue section surrounding the artwork provides the name of the organization, and the two white stars represent the commander.