Freedom of Information Act Requests

Who Can Submit a FOIA Request?
Members of the public, including foreign citizens, military and civilian personnel acting as private citizens, organizations and businesses, and individual members of the Congress for themselves or constituents, may request records in writing. It is important to remember that the Freedom of Information Act applies only to federal agencies. It does not create a right of access to records held by Congress, the courts, state or local government agencies, or by private businesses or individuals. Each state has its own public access laws that should by consulted for access to state and local records.

FOIA-- What is it?
The Freedom of Information Act Program (DODR 5400.7/AFMAN 33-302) allows the general public including foreign citizens, military and civilian personnel acting as private citizens, to request records electronically or in writing from the Federal Government. Some records are released to the public under the Freedom of Information Act, and may therefore reflect deletion of some information in accordance with the FOIA's nine statutory exemptions or two law enforcement record exclusions.

How do I Submit a FOIA request?
In accordance with subsection C.1.4.2 of DoD Regulation 5400.7/AFMAN 33-302. A FOIA request must either explicitly or implicitly invoke the FOIA; be submitted in writing that reasonably describes the desired record(s) sought and must identify a willingness to pay fees associated with processing the request, or, in the alternative, why a waiver of fees may be appropriate. A FOIA request can be made by any person, including a member of the public (U.S. or foreign citizen/entity), an organization, or a business, but not including Federal Agency or a fugitive from the law.

Written requests may be received by postal service or other commercial delivery means, by facsimile, or electronically. Requests received by facsimile or electronically must have a postal mailing address included since it may not be practical to provide a substantive response electronically. The request is considered properly received, or perfected, when the above conditions have been met and the request arrives at the FOIA office of the agency in possession of the records.

Note: Privacy Act requests are not accepted via e-mail or the on-line submission form. They must be in writing and sent to the FOIA/PA Office or to the office in possession of the record(s) you seek.

Request Service Center:
Option 1: Mail via Postal Service to:
Freedom of Information Act Manager
221 3rd Ave
Sheppard AFB, Texas 76311

Option 2 Facsimile (Fax) the signed request to:
Commercial Fax Number: (940) 676-2392
Option 3: Email the signed request to:
82cs.scok.FOIA@US.AF.MIL
Option 4:  AF FOIA: http://www.foia.af.mil/

Normal Response Time: Normally, people can expect a response to their FOIA request within 20 working days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays) from the date the proper FOIA office receives it. If special situations exist, the FOIA office will contact the requestor with an estimated completion date and explain the reason for delay. The Air Force works requests on a first-in, first-out basis.

AF FOIA Public Liaison:  If dissatisfied with the response received from the Requester Service Center, you may contact the Air Force FOIA Public Liaison Office, Ms. Anh Trinh, for assistance at: usaf.pentagon.saf-cio-a6.mbx.af-foia@mail.mil; phone (703) 614-8500.

How much does it cost to process a FOIA request?
Fees are assessed depending on which group the request falls into:
Category 1: Commercial. Requesters pay all search, review, and duplication.
Category 2: Educational or Noncommercial Scientific Institution or News Media. Requesters get the first 100 copies free and pay for additional copies.
Category 3: Others. Requesters get the first two hours of search and the first 100 copies free.

Library
The Freedom of Information Act, FOIA, [5 USC 552(a) (2) (D) ], requires that certain documents of interest to the general public be published electronically.
Electronic Reading

Are you seeking a record that is currently classified?
If you are only seeking a copy of a record or records that are currently classified, and would like the record reviewed for appropriate declassification and release, you should file a Mandatory Declassification Review request. Mandatory Declassification Review is a provision of Presidential Executive Order 13526 that allows members of the public to request a mandatory declassification review of a classified document in order to obtain a releasable version of the document. The desired document requested must be specified in sufficient detail that it can be readily located. The record in question may not be the subject of litigation. The mandatory declassification review process can be a very timely and in-depth, due to the classification of materials being reviewed by internal and outside agencies.  MDR decisions can be administratively appealed to the Headquarters Air Force/AAII (Mandatory Declassification Review) or Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel (ISCAP). 

Requests for review and release of classified records under the MDR process can be made to:
Headquarters Air Force/AAII (Mandatory Declassification Review)
1000 Air Force Pentagon
Washington, DC 20330-1000
Email: 
usaf.pentagon.saf-aa.mbx.mdr-workflow@mail.mil

Telephone: (703) 695-2226