Deputy Defense Secretary Discusses $3.6B Dry Dock Project During Hawaii Visit

Kathleen Hicks, deputy secretary of defense and a former Potomac Officers Club speaker, recently visited Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility in Hawaii and discussed the Department of Defense’s Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Plan, which includes building a new $3.6 billion dry dock that can support the repair and maintenance of Virginia-class and future fast-attack submarines.

Hicks said the dry dock project is the DOD’s largest single military construction project to date, noting the department’s commitment to keeping talent in the state of Hawaii through competitive job offers.

She also discussed the defueling of the Red Hill site, the Department of Defense said. U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Commander Adm. John Aquilino and Joint Task Force Red Hill Commander Vice Adm. John Wade updated the deputy defense secretary concerning the effort, which will begin in October.

Her two-day visit also included discussions on the Global Information Dominance Experiment series and a meeting with service members to inform them of their role in the implementation of the National Defense Strategy, identify issues affecting their quality of life and get their feedback on Taking Care of Our People initiatives.

Hicks is a three-time Wash100 awardee.