JOINT BASE PEARL-HICKAM, Hawaii –
In June, I supported our second hazardous waste removal operation in the Republic of the Philippines, traveling from my duty station in Hawaii to oversee the mission. As a former U.S. Air Force service member, I understand firsthand how critical it is to support the warfighter. Environmental readiness is not a background function; it directly affects operational tempo, mobility, and mission success. This operation highlighted the rapidly growing demand for environmental support across the region as joint force elements expand their presence.
This increased demand is visible across multiple locations, including Tarlac, Subic Bay, and Clark Air Base, where warfighters are already seeking integration into future removal cycles. Their requests reflect a shared understanding that environmental readiness directly supports operational readiness. During this mission alone, the team processed about 4,250 kilograms of hazardous materials. The effort was executed under a hazardous waste removal contract managed by Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services, ensuring compliant handling, transportation, and disposal in coordination with host nation environmental authorities.
As the Contracting Officer’s Representative for this mission, my responsibilities were centered on ensuring that every action taken under the hazardous waste contract aligns with regulatory requirements, host nation expectations, and the operational needs of the units we support. The COR serves as the connective link between the contracting officer, the contractor, and the warfighters who rely on timely, compliant hazardous waste removal to maintain operational momentum. In practice, that means validating waste streams, monitoring contractor performance, confirming documentation, and ensuring every movement of hazardous material is executed safely and in accordance with both U.S. and Philippine environmental standards.
This mission unfolded against a backdrop of shifting regional weather conditions. In early June, Typhoon Jangmi struck Japan, and although I was not in Okinawa, the storm’s broad circulation pattern influenced weather across the Indo‑Pacific. As the typhoon tracked north, trailing moisture pushed southward, contributing to the early onset of monsoon season in the Philippines.
By the time I arrived from Hawaii, the Philippines was already experiencing the full weight of monsoon conditions, high humidity, rising heat, and sudden rain showers that moved in without warning. These environmental factors require constant flexibility and reinforce how interconnected weather systems are across the region, especially during hazardous waste operations where safety and timing are critical.
Operations began at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, where the team cleared 26 line items of degraded petroleum, oil, and lubricants totaling 1,569 kilograms. The efficient, well‑coordinated effort brought the site to a fully cleared status and demonstrated how disciplined execution supports compliance at high‑tempo locations.
Before reaching Camp General Servillano Aquino for a reconnaissance visit the following day, the team faced a three‑hour drive from Manila, slowed by heavy traffic conditions that are a daily reality in the Philippines. Congestion is constant and unpredictable, and even short distances can turn into extended travel times. The drive underscored how logistics, terrain, and local infrastructure all shape operational timelines. The visit to Camp Aquino offered a forward look at what’s ahead. As EDCA sites expand and new operational nodes come online, their environmental footprints grow accordingly. Several emerging locations, including Tarlac, Subic Bay, and Clark Air Base, will soon require full integration into the hazardous waste removal pipeline.
Warfighters at these sites are already requesting contract support to maintain safe accumulation thresholds and remain aligned with host nation environmental regulations. Their outreach reinforces a simple truth: environmental support is no longer a back‑end function. It is a frontline enabler of mobility, readiness, and partnership.
While Aguinaldo and Aquino in the north offered relatively straightforward access, Camp Navarro presented a far more complex operational environment. The installation sits within a restricted area where security concerns remain elevated due to persistent terrorism threats, and movement into the region is tightly controlled. As soon as we stepped off the plane in the south, two Marines in civilian clothes, both armed, were already waiting to escort us. We moved quickly into an armored vehicle and began the transit to Camp Navarro. This was my first time overseeing a hazardous waste removal in the Philippines under these conditions, and it highlighted how different each mission can be depending on location, threat level, and operational constraints.
Travel constraints added an additional layer of difficulty. Airline reservations to the south were made at the last minute due to security and scheduling requirements, and our team had to wake up at 2 a.m. to catch the first flight out of Manila. With the last return flight scheduled for 5 p.m., our removal window was extremely narrow. There was no option to stay overnight in the south, which meant the entire operation had to be completed in a single day. If we failed to finish, we would have had to fly back to Manila, wake up again at 2 a.m., and repeat the entire process the next day. These constraints placed significant pressure on the team, but they also reinforced the importance of disciplined execution and close coordination with contractors on the ground.
My prior service in the Air Force has shaped how I approach this work. I have seen how quickly environmental issues can disrupt operations, and I understand the importance of ensuring that warfighters have the support they need to stay focused on their mission. That perspective reinforces the value of the COR role and the responsibility that comes with it.