Navy Closure Task Force-Red Hill Operational Update
13 March 2025
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM -- Navy Closure Task Force-Red Hill (NCTF-RH) continued safe and deliberate efforts in support of the decommissioning of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility (RHBFSF) last month.
Tank 7 and 8 Pressure Washing Validation: The Navy completed pressure washing tanks 7 and 8. After pressure washing, the cleaning solution was subsequently collected, analyzed, and disposed of in accordance with the Hawaii Department of Health’s (DOH) approved waste management requirements. Tanks 7 and 8 were the first and second tanks to be pressure washed at the facility and are now undergoing validation by an independent quality validator, who will inspect and certify the tank surface as clean. After validation, a final cleanliness report will be submitted to the regulatory agencies for approval before the tanks begin the decommissioning process. The pressure washing process, approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Hawaii Department of Health (DOH), included using a mixture of 3% Simple Green cleaning solution and 97% water.
Tank Cleaning Webinar: NCTF-RH hosted a tank cleaning webinar on Feb. 24. The webinar was hosted by the NCTF-RH director of facilities who offered an in-depth discussion on the cleaning process for the RHBFSF. A full recording of the webinar is available for viewing on the NCTF-RH website (https://www.navyclosuretaskforce.navy.mil/Media/Videos/#video-13), or on the NCTF-RH YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@NCTF-RH/videos).
“Let’s Talk Red Hill” Podcast: In February, NCTF-RH released the following four episodes of the podcast series hosted by Deputy Commander Rear Adm. Marc Williams:
- Episode 17: Upcoming Events
- Episode 16: Tank Cleaning Closure Plan
- Episode 15: Pressure Washing
- Episode 14: Environmental Remediation
The weekly series offers experts the chance to share the latest updates and insights on the Navy’s progress in closing the RHBFSF. The series can be found on the NCTF-RH website (www.navyclosuretaskforce.navy.mil/Media/Videos/), the NCTF-RH YouTube page (www.youtube.com/@NCTF-RH/featured), the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS) website, and the NCTF-RH mobile app.
Engagements: In February, NCTF-RH leadership and staff participated in, or attended, the following engagement events:
• Pacific Water Conference
• Red Hill Water Alliance Initiative (WAI) meeting
• Local, state, and congressional leadership briefs
• Neighborhood boards
• Drinking water information booths
Additionally, NCTF-RH Commander Rear Adm. Steve Barnett, NCTF-RH Deputy Commander Rear Adm. Marc Williams, and several NCTF-RH experts met with Uncle Kalani Whitford, a community “Kupuna,” or elder, to provide progress updates on task force operations. They discussed specifics of the tank cleaning process, emergency response preparations, environmental protection and remediation efforts, and the Navy's commitment to safely and deliberately close the RHBFSF.
NCTF-RH is committed to working with all government agencies and community stakeholders to safely and deliberately close the RHBFSF underground storage tanks and associated piping system, conduct long-term environmental remediation, and ensure continued access to safe drinking water in compliance with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations. For more information about NCTF-RH, visit https://www.navyclosuretaskforce.navy.mil/ or download our free mobile app by searching for "NCTF-Red Hill" in the Apple App store or Google Play store. For imagery, video and other digital media please visit our DVIDS site here: https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/NCTF-RH.