Navy Closure Task Force - Red Hill Ramps Up Operations

by Navy Closure Task Force - Red Hill Public Affairs

20 February 2024 JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --

Navy Closure Task Force - Red Hill (NCTF-RH), the new U.S. Navy command tasked with closing the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility (RHBFSF) continues the momentum created by Joint Task Force-Red Hill (JTF-RH) that successfully removed over 104 million gallons of fuel from the facility.

NCTF-RH has been growing its capacity and responsibilities while further engaging the community as it prepares to take full control of the facility next month. NCTF-RH's most recent milestone was the conditional approval of its tank cleaning plan by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Hawaii Department of Health (DOH).

Vice Adm. Scott Gray, commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC), who is on Oahu for other matters, is also checking in on NCTF-RH to make sure the transition and ramp up are going smoothly.

“Our service members, families, and everyone who call this island home have our full attention,” said Gray. “As the team here continues to make great strides, my team is ready to give whatever support is needed to safely close the Red Hill facility and ensure the safety of the water, the land, and the community.”

NCTF-RH is committed to being transparent and to providing consistent, two-way communication with the community, organizations, and local, state, and federal governments. Upcoming engagements include the Defueling Information Sharing Forum (DISF) on Feb. 22, the Fuel Tank Advisory Committee (FTAC) in March, attendance at various neighborhood boards, and routine meetings with state and local officials. Gray and Rear Adm. Steve Barnett, commander, NCTF-RH, and closure subject matter experts also attended the most recent meeting of the Community Representation Initiative Feb. 15.

Earlier today, Barnett hosted Members and staff from the Hawaii Congressional delegation to discuss the Navy’s actions to protect water quality, as well as the Task Force’s plans to clean and close Red Hill, and to remediate the aquifer.

“It’s always an honor to hear from our Congressional delegation and to share about the complex mission of the task force,” said Barnett. “They reassured us they will work with their colleagues in Washington to provide the necessary funds to meet our responsibility to the people of Hawaii.”

NCTF-RH is learning daily from JTF-RH in a formal transition process while continuing to plan the complex technical tasks required to close the facility by refining an integrated master schedule (IMS). The IMS lays out all closure tasks that must be completed to safely close the RHBFSF and was developed in close collaboration with the EPA and DOH. NCTF-RH leaders anticipate beginning the tank cleaning process in early April 2024.

NCTF-RH is committed to working with all government agencies and community stakeholders to safely and deliberately decommission the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility underground storage tanks and associated pipelines, conduct long-term environmental remediation, and ensure continued access to safe drinking water in compliance with all federal, state, and local laws, policies and regulations. Throughout the process, NCTF-RH will consistently communicate progress with our community partners through a variety of methods, media, and engagements.

For more information about NCTF-RH, please visit www.navyclosuretaskforce.mil, or download the JTF-RH mobile app by searching for "JTF-RH" in your app store.