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

Photo By Spc. Matthew Mackintosh | Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Pearl Harbor employees uses tools to relocate contaminated soil onto a wheelbarrow as part of NAVFAC Public Works Department and Joint Task Force-Red Hill’s (JTF-RH) hazard material spill recovery operation at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility (RHBFSF) in Halawa, Hawaii, Dec. 1, 2022. Remediation of the spill site through excavation and removal of contaminated surfaces and material was immediately initiated after an estimated 1,100 gallons of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) concentrate spilled from the fire suppression system at RHBFSF Adit 6 on Nov. 29, 2022. JTF-RH was established by the Department of Defense to ensure the safe and expeditious defueling of the RHBFSF. (DoD photo by U.S. Army Spc. Matthew Mackintosh)  

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, HAWAII, UNITED STATES

12.02.2022

Courtesy Story

Commander Navy Region Hawaii

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM – 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):

• The Navy began collecting soil samples at Red Hill today to test for PFAS, and are working to have results expedited to provide us more information to ensure we have successfully captured all contamination.
• JTF-RH has released additional photos of ongoing remediation at: https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/JointTaskForceRedHill
• The Navy will provide more updates next week after continued clean-up work over the weekend.

The Navy’s drinking water remains safe; water in the system continues to come from the Waiawa shaft, located approximately six miles away.

JTF-RH was established by the Secretary of Defense to ensure the safe and expeditious defueling of the RHBFSF. Importantly, JTF-RH is also committed to consistent engagement with local stakeholders to rebuild trust with the people of Hawaii.

For more information about JTF-RH, or to provide public comment via the contact form, please visit https://www.pacom.mil/JTF-Red-Hill/.

Additional updates regarding ongoing RHBFSF remediation efforts, defueling, and closure will be posted to the Joint Base Facebook page (www.facebook.com/jbphh) and on the web at: https://cnrh.cnic.navy.mil/Operations-and-Management/Red-Hill/Red-Hill-News-Releases-and-Media-Cover.

• Date Taken: 12.02.2022
• Date Posted: 12.02.2022 21:18
• Story ID: 434420
• Location: JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, HAWAII, US