AIR FORCE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA) HANDBOOK

This handbook tells you how to obtain information from the Air Force and the different ways to do so. It explains how to submit a FOIA request, where to send it, what types of information and records are available, and gives you our average response times. We also list categories of records that the law exempts from release and procedures for appealing those decisions.

The Air Force provides information and records through various programs and channels:

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is an option you may want to use when the releasability of a record is in doubt. The FOIA provides public access to releasable records. It does not require agencies to do research, conduct surveys, compile or analyze data, or to answer questions.

Some of the types of records available through FOIA include the Roswell Report, program element descriptive summaries, contract information, courts-martial, histories, environmental impact statements, training materials, and organizational charts.

FOIA reading rooms are available for viewing records on site, if desired, at each FOIA office throughout the Air Force. You can access electronic reading room records from DefenseLINK.

The Air Force FOIA policy (DoD Regulation 5400.7/AF Supplement) and annual reports are available electronically, as well as a list of our key FOIA offices from our Air Force FOIA Page, at http://www.foia.af.mil. For those who want paper copies of our policy, write to the National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA  22161. For paper copies of our annual report or this Handbook, please write to: AF-CIO/P,1155, Air Force Pentagon, Washington DC  20330-1155 (Attn: Mrs. Anne Rollins), or call (703) 696-6280.

How to Make a FOIA Request. If you want to submit a FOIA inquiry, send a written request to the FOIA office where the record is located, describe the records you want as specifically as possible and let us know how much you're willing to pay. Furnish any facts or clues about the time, place, persons, events, subjects, or other details of the information or records you want. That will help us decide where to search and determine what records pertain to your request. It can also save you and the government time and money and you may get what you want faster. There is no special form to complete. You may mail it, handcarry it, fax it, or send it electronically. Mark your request and envelope "FOIA."

Where to Send a FOIA Request. For fastest response times, we have decentralized the Air Force FOIA Program. No single office handles all FOIA requests. Send your request to the particular base or activitythat has the records you want. Every Air Force base has a FOIA office that can help you direct your request to the proper FOIA office. If you don't know which Air Force activity has the records you want, send your request to: 11 CS/SCSR (FOIA), 1000 Air Force Pentagon, Washington, DC  20330-1000.

FOIA Costs. The FOIA allows fee charges based on the requester's category. There are three categories: commercial (pay search, review, and reproduction fees); educational, non-commercial scientific institution, and news media (pay reproduction fees; first 100 pages provided at no cost); and others (pay search and reproduction fees; first two hours search and 100 pages provided at no cost). The FOIA also allows waivers or reductions in fees if disclosing the information is in the public interest.

Response Time. Normally, you can expect a response to your FOIA request within 20 days from the date the proper FOIA office receives it. If special situations exist, the FOIA office will contact you with an estimated completion date and explain the reason for delay. The Air Force works requests on a first-in, first-out basis.

FOIA Exemptions. The FOIA provides access to federal agency records (or parts of those records) except those protected from release by nine specific exemptions. These are the reasons some Air Force records may not be released:

(1) Classified

(2) Internal personnel rules and practices

(3) Exempt by other statute

(4) Commercial information that would cause competitive harm

(5) Predecisional, deliberative information

(6) Invasion of personal privacy

(7) Compiled for law enforcement purposes

(8) Records for the use of any agency responsible for the regulation or supervision of financial institutions

(9) Records containing geological and geophysical information (including maps) concerning wells

You have the right to appeal all denial decisions within 60 days. Send appeals to the Secretary of the Air Force through the office that intially denied you the information.

Other channels for requesting information, other than FOIA, include:

Public Affairs: accepts requests from news media organizations. Contact that office with questions or requests for records. Their address is: Secretary of the Air Force, Office of Public Affairs, 1690 Air Force Pentagon, Washington DC 20330-1690, telephone: (703) 695-0640.

Mandatory Declassification Review: Executive Order 12958 allows you to request declassification of classified records. Contact: 11 CS/SCSR (MDR), 1000 Air Force Pentagon, Washington DC 20330-1000, telephone: (703) 696-7265.

Many offices create records with no release restrictions and will provide them, on request, without citing FOIA. Many are electronically available via the World Wide Web (WWW). Examples are biographies, speeches, fact sheets, audit records, Air Force Publications, and historical records.  You may locate many of the records you want by using the search tool at Air Force Link. Other search tools include the DoD Resource Locator/Government Information Locator Service (GILS) and Privacy Act Systems of Records Notices. The National Personnel Records Center keeps copies of personnel records on former military and civilian personnel.

Thank you for your interest in the Air Force FOIA Program.

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