Joint Task Force-Red Hill (JTF-RH) ensures the safe and expeditious defueling of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility (RHBFSF) through coordination with State and Federal stakeholders in order to set conditions for closure while continuing to rebuild trust with the State of Hawaii and the local community of Oahu.

JTF-Red Hill Appoints Investigating Officer for AFFF Release

Today, Vice Adm. John Wade, Joint Task Force - Red Hill commander, appointed Maj. Gen. Richard J. Heitkamp of the U.S. Army Reserve as the Investigating Officer into the release of Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, Nov. 29, 2022.

Click here to read more.

JTF-Red Hill establishes Defueling Information Sharing Forum

HONOLULU – 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. 

Click here to read more.

Joint Task Force - Red Hill Organizational Chart

Members of the public who wish to contact the JTF may email JTFRH-PAO@us.navy.mil. To address a particular individual, include their name in the subject line.

Commander

Joint Task Force-Red Hill (JTF-RH)

Vice Adm. John F.G. Wade

Vice Adm. John F.G. Wade, the commander of Joint Task Force-Red Hill (JTF-RH), is a native of Port Washington, New York. He is a 1990 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics. He also holds a Master’s degree in Information Systems Technology from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, and a Master’s degree in National Security Strategy from the National War College in Washington, District of Columbia. 

Deputy Commander, Strategic Engagement

Joint Task Force-Red Hill (JTF-RH)

Brig. Gen. Lance A. Okamura

Brig. Gen. Lance A. Okamura is an honor graduate from Kamehameha Schools in the State of Hawaii and a distinguished military graduate from Brigham Young University. He has completed a post graduate degree in Strategic Intelligence from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) and is a graduate of the Defense Nuclear Weapons School. He is a former resident of Southeast Asia, and he reads and speaks Mandarin Chinese.

Joint Task Force – Red Hill Update on AFFF Remediation Effort - 09 December 2022

Joint Task Force - Red Hill issued an informational update today regarding clean-up and remediation of the Nov. 29 Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) release at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility.

Navy Region Hawaii, Joint Task Force-Red Hill Provide Updates on Response Efforts to AFFF Release at Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility - 01 December 2022

Commander, Navy Region Hawaii and Joint Task Force-Red Hill issued the following informational updates today regarding response efforts to the Nov. 29 Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) release at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility (RHBFSF).

Defense Official Addresses Progress on Hawaii Fuel Facility Closure - 15 November 2022

One year ago this month, families on Oahu, Hawaii, faced a crisis when fuel spills at Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility contaminated the Navy's drinking water system.

Joint Task Force - Red Hill Completes Pipeline Unpacking - 03 November 2022

HONOLULU – Joint Task Force - 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.

Secretary of Defense Visits Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, Meets with Hawaii State Officials and Families - 30 September 2022

CAMP H.M. SMITH, HI – Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III visited the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility today where he received an update from Rear Admiral John Wade on efforts to safely and expeditiously defuel the facility. 

Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on the Appointment of Rear Adm. John Wade as the Commander of the Joint Task Force of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility - 19 September 2022

Today I am pleased to announce U.S. Navy Rear Adm. John Wade as the Commander of the Joint Task Force – Red Hill.  Upon taking command, RADM Wade’s sole responsibility is to ensure the Department's safe and expeditious defueling of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility.

Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on the Closure of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility - 7 March 2022

After close consultation with senior civilian and military leaders, I have decided to defuel and permanently close the Red Hill bulk fuel storage facility in Hawaii.

This is a multi-step process. Throughout the process, we will work closely with the Hawaii Department of Health and with the Environmental Protection Agency to safely defuel the Red Hill facility.

Statement by Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen Hicks Following Her Visit to the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in Hawaii - 14 December 2021

Attributable to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks:

I touched down in Hawaii late last night and the first thing I did this morning was head right to Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility.

What is Unpacking? Unpacking is the first step required for removing fuel from the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. It involves removing fuel from the pipelines connecting the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage tanks with outlets on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. 

Inquiries and Concerns

Email: JTFRH-PAO@us.navy.mil

Daytime Phone: 808-472-0353

Duty Officer Phone: 808-501-8320

For information about the Pearl Harbor Hickam water supply and health information visit this link:

Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam Water Updates

For information on water quality please visit the following websites:

Water Quality Reports from the City and County of Honolulu Board of Water Supply

The Environmental Protection Agency’s Red Hill website

The Hawaii Department of Health’s Red Hill website