The U.S. Department of Defense announced on Monday that the U.S. Navy Rear Adm. John Wade would be the Commander of the Red Hill Joint Task Force, according to a news release. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Commander will work with the Hawaii Department of Health, The Environmental Protection Agency and the community in Hawaii to defuel the Red Hill facility

  • U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz said that Red Hill must be shut down as soon as possible

  • U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono said she hopes the Commander's experience will help him succeed in his role

  • U.S. Rep. Ed Case said he looks forward to working with the Commander

The Commander of the Red Hill Joint Task Force’s only responsibility is ensuring the safe and swift defueling of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. The establishment of the Red Hill Joint Task Force was announced on June 30. 

“The Department of Defense and the United States Navy remain focused on the health and safety of our military families and the people of Hawaii, and I have confidence that RADM Wade will continue to do everything to protect the population, the environment, and the security of the nation,” said Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III in the news release.

The Commander will work with the Hawaii Department of Health, The Environmental Protection Agency and the community in Hawaii to defuel the Red Hill facility. 

Earlier in September, the Department of Defense submitted a new plan to defuel the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility to the Hawaii Department of Health, which shortened the timeline for defueling the facility from the end of 2024 to July 2024. 

The Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility leaked last year, contaminating the water for those living and working around Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and causing physical symptoms, including rashes, vomiting, headaches, nausea and hair loss. 

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, said in a statement that Red Hill must be shut down as soon as possible.

“Shutting down Red Hill cannot be delayed. With a commander now in place, the Joint Task Force can become fully operational and begin to work on-site with state, local, and community leaders to safely and quickly defuel Red Hill,” Schatz said. 

“The Department of Defense is perfectly capable of meeting a tight timeframe in an emergency situation. And this is an emergency. Our water was poisoned. Of course they need to assess, prepare, and drain the tanks in a way that is safe and doesn’t cause more contamination, but anything resembling a delay, intentional or not, is totally unacceptable. As a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I will use every tool, every power, and every resource at my disposal to drain the tanks as soon as possible.”

U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono said in a statement that she hopes Wade’s experience will help him succeed in his role. 

“In his role with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Rear Admiral Wade has been responsible for coordinating the successful execution of all U.S. military activities in the Pacific region. I hope that experience, along with his several years living on Oahu, will help him succeed as Commander of the Joint Task Force responsible for the safe and timely defueling and closure of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. I look forward to meeting with Rear Admiral Wade soon to discuss the critical work ahead and the importance of collaboration, transparency and garnering the trust of the community throughout this process,” Hirono said. 

“Now that a JTF commander has been named, I am hopeful that the work necessary to prepare for Red Hill’s defueling can begin in a timely manner. I’ll continue working with my colleagues in Congress, military leadership, and our partners in Hawaii to help ensure the success of this critical task, while ensuring the protection and health and safety of the people of Hawaii,” she added.

U.S. Rep. Ed Case said in a statement he looks forward to working with Wade and added that it was important that the facility be quickly and safely defueled. 

“I commend the Secretary of Defense for appointing Rear Admiral John Wade, a flag officer, to be the Commander of the Joint Task Force - Red Hill. I look forward to working with RADM Wade, along with Hawaii Department of Health and the Environmental Protection Agency, to respond to our constituents’ concerns about Red Hill's defueling operations, human health related matters and environmental concerns. It is critical that the facility be defueled in a safe and expeditious manner to ensure the long-term integrity of the island's aquifer,” said Case.

Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii.