JTF–Red Hill Completes Tank Tightness Testing, Surge Tank Draining Continues 

23-001 | July 19, 2023

Contractors conduct monitoring operations during tank tightness testing at Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility (RHBFSF), Halawa, Hawaii, June 28, 2023. JTF-RH is in phase three of its five-phase defueling plan. Personnel are focused on completing repairs, quality control tasks, training, response preparation, the National Environmental Policy Act Environmental Assessment, regulatory approvals and operational planning for all major milestones. This extensive preparatory work will help ensure the safe and expeditious defueling of the RHBFSF. (Photo by DoD photo by U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Sarah Stegall)

Contractors conduct monitoring operations at tank seven during tank tightness testing at Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility (RHBFSF), Halawa, Hawaii, June 28, 2023. JTF-RH is in phase three of its five-phase defueling plan. Personnel are focused on completing repairs, quality control tasks, training, response preparation, the National Environmental Policy Act Environmental Assessment, regulatory approvals and operational planning for all major milestones. This extensive preparatory work will help ensure the safe and expeditious defueling of the RHBFSF. (Photo by DoD photo by U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Sarah Stegall)

Civilians assigned to Joint Task Force-Red Hill (JTF-RH) secure a fuel hose in preparation for draining the surge tanks at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility (RHBFSF) on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Honolulu, Hawaii, July 19, 2023. JTF-RH is in phase three of its five-phase defueling plan. Personnel are focused on completing quality control tasks, training, response preparation, the National Environmental Policy Act Environmental Assessment, regulatory approvals and operational planning for all future major milestones. This extensive preparatory work will help ensure the safe and expeditious defueling of the RHBFSF. (DoD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Kyler L. Chatman) (Photo by Sgt. Kyler Chatman)

Civilians assigned to Joint Task Force-Red Hill (JTF-RH) monitor a fuel pump during surge tank draining at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility (RHBFSF) on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Honolulu, Hawaii, July 19, 2023. JTF-RH is in phase three of its five-phase defueling plan. Personnel are focused on completing quality control tasks, training, response preparation, the National Environmental Policy Act Environmental Assessment, regulatory approvals and operational planning for all future major milestones. This extensive preparatory work will help ensure the safe and expeditious defueling of the RHBFSF. (DoD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Kyler L. Chatman) (Photo by Sgt. Kyler Chatman)

Civilians assigned to Joint Task Force-Red Hill (JTF-RH) monitor a fuel pump during surge tank draining at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility (RHBFSF) on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Honolulu, Hawaii, July 19, 2023. JTF-RH is in phase three of its five-phase defueling plan. Personnel are focused on completing quality control tasks, training, response preparation, the National Environmental Policy Act Environmental Assessment, regulatory approvals and operational planning for all future major milestones. This extensive preparatory work will help ensure the safe and expeditious defueling of the RHBFSF. (DoD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Kyler L. Chatman) (Photo by Sgt. Kyler Chatman)

Civilians assigned to Joint Task Force-Red Hill (JTF-RH) reposition a fuel line in preparation for draining the surge tanks at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility (RHBFSF) on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Honolulu, Hawaii, July 19, 2023. JTF-RH is in phase three of its five-phase defueling plan. Personnel are focused on completing quality control tasks, training, response preparation, the National Environmental Policy Act Environmental Assessment, regulatory approvals and operational planning for all future major milestones. This extensive preparatory work will help ensure the safe and expeditious defueling of the RHBFSF. (DoD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Kyler L. Chatman) (Photo by Sgt. Kyler Chatman)

Civilians assigned to Joint Task Force-Red Hill (JTF-RH) start a generator in preparation for draining the surge tanks at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility (RHBFSF) on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Honolulu, Hawaii, July 19, 2023. JTF-RH is in phase three of its five-phase defueling plan. Personnel are focused on completing quality control tasks, training, response preparation, the National Environmental Policy Act Environmental Assessment, regulatory approvals and operational planning for all future major milestones. This extensive preparatory work will help ensure the safe and expeditious defueling of the RHBFSF. (DoD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Kyler L. Chatman) (Photo by Sgt. Kyler Chatman)

Civilians assigned to Joint Task Force-Red Hill (JTF-RH) prepare a fuel hose for connection to a fuel line in preparation for draining surge tanks at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility (RHBFSF), Honolulu, Hawaii, July 18, 2023. JTF-RH is in phase three of its five-phase defueling plan. Personnel are focused on completing quality control tasks, training, response preparation, the National Environmental Policy Act Environmental Assessment, regulatory approvals and operational planning for all future major milestones. This extensive preparatory work will help ensure the safe and expeditious defueling of the RHBFSF. (DoD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Kyler L. Chatman) (Photo by Sgt. Kyler Chatman)

Civilians assigned to Joint Task Force-Red Hill (JTF-RH) remove air from a fuel line during the draining of surge tanks at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility (RHBFSF), Honolulu, Hawaii, July 18, 2023. JTF-RH is in phase three of its five-phase defueling plan. Personnel are focused on completing quality control tasks, training, response preparation, the National Environmental Policy Act Environmental Assessment, regulatory approvals and operational planning for all future major milestones. This extensive preparatory work will help ensure the safe and expeditious defueling of the RHBFSF. (DoD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Kyler L. Chatman) (Photo by Sgt. Kyler Chatman)

A civilian assigned to Joint Task Force-Red Hill (JTF-RH) prepares a fuel hose for connection to fuel lines in preparation for draining surge tanks at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility (RHBFSF), Honolulu, Hawaii, July 18, 2023. JTF-RH is in phase three of its five-phase defueling plan. Personnel are focused on completing quality control tasks, training, response preparation, the National Environmental Policy Act Environmental Assessment, regulatory approvals and operational planning for all future major milestones. This extensive preparatory work will help ensure the safe and expeditious defueling of the RHBFSF. (DoD photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Kyler L. Chatman) (Photo by Sgt. Kyler Chatman)

JTF-RH Deputy Commander provides updates on surge tank draining and announces completion of tank tightness testing (Related Video)

HONOLULU —

Joint Task Force - Red Hill (JTF-RH) announced today it completed tank tightness testing on all storage and surge tanks in active service at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility (RHBFSF).

“Tank tightness testing allowed us to verify the current integrity of all tanks in the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility,” said Brig. Gen. Michelle Link, JTF-RH deputy commander and chief engineer. “Tank tightness testing mitigates safety risks for our personnel and the environment as JTF-RH prepares to begin gravity defueling operations in mid-October.”

All tanks passed tightness testing standards as required by the Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR).

RHBFSF storage and surge tanks are field-constructed underground tanks that are subject to the HAR and the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2023 Consent Order requiring Tank Tightness Testing. The tests are conducted semi-annually, however this is expected to be the final round of testing prior to gravity defueling and permanently closing the facility.

The below hyperlink is a JTF-RH produced motion graphic explaining the Tank Tightness Testing process- dvids.net/video/884480/tank-tightness-testing-motion-graphic

JTF-RH also completed phase 2 of surge tank draining and successfully removed 120,000 gallons of fuel for a total 413,000 gallons, or 86%, since draining operations began Monday.

The fuel is being moved to above-ground tanks at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

Regulators from the Environmental Protection Agency and Hawaii Department of Health were on site for today’s operation.

The JTF-RH remains on-track to begin gravity defueling of the main storage tanks in mid-October. The Joint Task Force continues to monitor operations making safety a priority.

JTF-RH was established by the Secretary of Defense to ensure the safe and expeditious defueling of the RHBFSF.