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Announcements from the Joint Task Force-Red Hill

The following announcements, materials and links are provided by the Navy's Joint Task Force-Red Hill. The BWS is sharing in the interest of transparency and does not constitute support or approval. For a full list of Navy updates, please go to https://www.pacom.mil/jtf-red-hill.


See all Joint Task Force-Red Hill updates: https://www.pacom.mil/jtf-red-hill

May 5, 2023

JTF-Red Hill Announces AFFF Investigation Findings, Publishes Video Footage

Joint Task Force-Red Hill (JTF-RH) announced the findings from the investigation of the November 29 Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) concentrate release at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility (RHBFSF) today and published video footage of the incident and a fact sheet.

Nov 16, 2022

Office of the Secretary of Defense Discusses Red Hill

The Office of the Secretary of Defense Public Affairs officer, General Ryder, spoke about the ongoing defueling efforts at Red Hill yesterday. For more information, please see the attached links from the event:


Nov 15, 2022

Media Advisory – JTF-Red Hill Establishes a Defueling Information Sharing Forum

Joint Task Force-Red Hill has established a Defueling Information Sharing Forum and will host its initial meeting Nov. 18, 2022. The forum brings local community members, elected representatives and other stakeholders together with JTF leadership to discuss the defueling of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility (RHBFSF) and to provide critical community feedback. The forum will meet regularly until defueling is completed.

Specifically, the forum will provide members an opportunity to share insights, knowledge, and professional expertise through meaningful feedback, dialogue and discussions. The forum will also ensure members receive regular updates on the progress being made on the defueling plan and anticipated next steps so they can apprise their peers, constituents, association participants, and interested members of the community. As the defueling planning process continues to evolve, forum membership may adjust as information voids are discovered or if other integral principals are necessary to ensure inclusive representation.

“I’m absolutely humbled, honored and grateful to the forum members for their willingness to provide community and military family feedback, share their diverse insights and recommendations, and help communicate what we are doing and why. Each of the forum members are engaged on the Red Hill issue, have deep awareness of community and military family concerns, technical/functional or cultural expertise, and the ability to speak to linkages. They will no doubt make my team and I better as we plan for and execute the incredibly important defueling mission,” said Rear Adm. John Wade, JTF-RH Commander.

The members participating in the forum are:

  • Council Member Radiant Cordero, Honolulu City Council (District 7)
  • Dr. Kaeo Duarte, Chair of Hawaii Fresh Water Council
  • Dr. Sylvia Hussey: Chief Executive Officer of Office of Hawaiian Affairs
  • Rep Linda Ichiyama: State Representative (District 32)
  • Fleet Master Chief David Isom, USN: Senior Enlisted Leader U.S. Indo-Pacific Command
  • Sen Jarrett Keohokalole: State Senator (District 24)
  • Mr. Ernie Lau: Manager and Chief Engineer of Board of Water Supply
  • Mr. Kuhio Lewis: Chief Executive Officer of the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement
  • Mr. Jeff Mikulina: Co-Host of KHON Empowered-Hawaii; former CEO of Blue Planet Foundation and former Chapter President of Sierra Club
  • Ms. Laurie Moore: Executive Director of Armed Services YMCA Honolulu
  • Dr. Vassilis Syrmos: Vice President for Research and Innovation at University of Hawaii
  • Rep Ryan Yamane: State Representative (District 37)

Joint Task Force-Red Hill was established by the Secretary of Defense to ensure the safe and expeditious defueling of the RHBFSF. Importantly, Joint Task Force-Red Hill is also committed to consistent engagement with local stakeholders to rebuild trust with the people of Hawaii. For more information about JTF-Red Hill, or to provide public comment via the JTF-Red Hill contact form, please visit https://www.pacom.mil/JTF-Red-Hill/.


Nov 10, 2022

Media Advisory – JTF-Red Hill Publishes Organizational Chart

Joint Task Force-Red Hill published an updated organizational chart that includes the names of the JTF commander, deputy commander, director of strategic engagement, chief of staff, and the directors of planning, training, quality assurance, repair, operations and response as discussed during the Nov. 9 Fuel Tank Advisory Committee yesterday.

jtf-red hill organizational structure 11-10-2022


Nov 04, 2022

Media Advisory After Unpacking: Next Steps Video (02:49)

Red Hill (JTF-RH) safely completed the unpacking of fuel pipelines connecting the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility (RHBFSF) with fuel points on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Nov. 3. The unpacking process, which began Oct. 25, removed approximately 1,058,187 gallons of three different grades of fuel from the pipelines. JTF-RH now enters the the next phase of defueling, shifting its focus to completing all necessary repairs, modifications and enhancements to the Red Hill complex to reduce risk during defueling.


Updated: 05/05/2023