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