U.S. lawmakers have sent a letter to the U.S. Navy warning that the military may be completely unprepared for a potential conflict if it pursues plans to transfer fuel from Hawaii to storage facilities across the Indo-Pacific. Ta.
Rep. Mike Gallagher, the Republican chairman of the House Select Committee on China, in a letter dated January 17 to Secretary of the Navy Carlos del Toro, said that he would not be able to recycle fuel from the Red Hill underground bulk storage facility in Hawaii. He said the plan to distribute it was “strategic.” It is essential,” Reuters reported. But he cautioned that the Pentagon has not yet developed a long-term solution.
“It's unclear exactly how the Navy will replace and allocate Red Hill's total bulk fuel capacity,” said Gallagher, R-Wis., adding that U.S. operations in the Pacific will depend on the logistics network that transports the battleship. Without it, it would “come to a complete standstill,” he said. Then apply oil for easier access.
“The Navy appears to be short on dozens of ships needed to transport and deliver fuel to our bases and forces throughout the Indo-Pacific,” he continued. “We must address potential weaknesses in our logistics supply lines while there is still time.”
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Scaffolding covers the Statue of Liberty atop the U.S. Capitol dome on September 27, 2023 in Washington, DC. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) continues to have difficulty finding a legislative path that prevents a partial federal government shutdown at midnight on Sept. 30 and that does not jeopardize his presidency. I'm holding it. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
In October 2023, the Department of Defense revealed that a water leak at the Red Hill Storage Facility at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam contaminated the water system. It then began draining the facility, which was built in the 1940s, and said fuel would be loaded by ship and transported to existing support sites. This process is expected to take several years.
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In Gallagher's letter, Republican lawmakers cited a 2016 Pentagon determination that moving such equipment would require 86 tankers. He asked Del Toro to explain to the committee whether the department has sufficient forward fuel storage facilities and access to refinery capacity for operations in the Indo-Pacific.
On May 27, 2017, the USS Carl Vinson approaches the USNS Rappahannock (not shown) for replenishment in the Pacific Ocean. Rappahannock is a military sealift command ship that supports the U.S. Navy's mission by delivering food, fuel, and supplies to the Navy. This will expand the ability of naval vessels to stay at sea. Photo taken on May 27, 2017. (Tory W. Lee/Courtesy of the U.S. Navy/Handout via Reuters)
Mr. Gallagher also asked the Secretary whether the Navy has identified a safe location to build a replacement facility at Red Hill and whether there are plans to integrate facilities from allies and partners in the redistribution of fuel.
A Navy spokesperson assured that the Secretary would respond to the letter.
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“As with all Congressional communications, the Department of the Navy will respond as appropriate. We have nothing additional to provide at this time,” a spokesperson said, according to Reuters.
China's only aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, arrived in Hong Kong waters on July 7, 2017, less than a week after President Xi Jinping's high-profile visit. China's Defense Ministry said the Liaoning, named after a northeastern Chinese province, was part of a convoy conducting “regular training missions” and was scheduled to call at the former British colony. . (Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images)
U.S. military experts say the United States is unprepared to counter China's hegemonic ambitions in the Indo-Pacific, including seizing territory, facilitating trade negotiations and controlling trade routes, and expanding operational control in disputed waters. I keep warning you.
These experts warn of holes in America's defenses as China, which now has more naval vessels than the United States, continues to dramatically expand its military.
Reuters contributed to this report.
