Freedom of Information Act

FOIA

WHAT IS FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA)?

The Freedom of Information Act Program (PDF), DODM 5400.7 AFMAN33-302, 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. (Guide to Freedom of Information Exemptions, opens in new window)

A consolidated list of such records is on Defense Link (opens in new window) and the U.S. Air Force FOIA site (opens in new window).

HOW TO MAKE A FOIA REQUEST

Send a written request and identify where the record is located, describe the records you want as specifically as possible, and state that you agree to pay any associated fees. Specify as many facts about the requested documents as possible, (e.g. the time, place, persons, events, subjects, or other details) of the information you want. It is recommended request contains a statement of accepting clearly releasable records as in accordance with the nine statutory exemptions. Hard Copy/Paper request must have a postal mailing information with a personal contact and email address information included so the Requesting Serving FOIA office can or if there will be a need to contact you for clarification and be able to communicate with you and reply to your request in timely manner.

Additionally, if you're seeking "Medical Records" as First or Third Party requester, to meet the requirement as outlined and under the provisions of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) and comply with the regulation of HIPPA guidelines and procedures as required by DOD 6025.18-R, DOD Health Information Privacy Regulation; DOD 8580.02-R, DOD Health Information Security Regulation. The following documents/forms/authorization/sworn notarized statement must be included with the request as follows:

1) A signed DD Form 2870, Authorization for Disclosure of Medical or Dental Information (PDF)

2) Provide a copy of a verification of Identity (i.e. driver’s license, state ID) that includes a sworn/notarized "I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States of America that the foregoing information (concerning my identity) is true and correct. Executed on (date)(signature)."

3) If you're representing as Third Party, a sworn/Notarized Authorizations/Power of Attorney statement must be signed from the individual authorizing the disclosure/release of the documents be included in the request.

Submit an electronic FOIA request here (opens in new window) or directly send to 50SW.KMC.FOIAPA@us.af.mil.

You may reach the 50th SPACE WING FOIA office at the following address:

50 SW Freedom of Information Request Serving Center

301 O'Malley Avenue Suite 37

Schriever Air Force Base, CO 80912-3037

Phone: 719-567-6001

E-mail: 50SW.KMC.FOIAPA@us.af.mil

FOR HQ AFSPC (MAJCOM) FOIA REQUEST:

AFIMSC/IZSI (FOIA)

2261 Hughes Ave Ste. 133

JBSA Lackland, TX 78236

Comm: (210)-395-0995, DSN 969-0995

E-mail: afimsc.foia.workflow@us.af.mil

AIR FORCE PUBLIC LIASON

If dissatisfied with the service received from the Requester Service Center, you may contact the Air Force FOIA Public Liaison Officer, Ms Anh Trinh, for assistance at usaf.pentagon.saf-cio-a6.mbx.af-foia@mail.mil or (703) 614-8500. (Note: Please do not send FOIA request to this office)

FOIA Exemptions

Certain records or documents that may cause harm to a particular interest of the government are exempt from FOIA requests. Exemptions have been created under federal law that protect these interests. A brief summary of each follows.

Records corrently and properly classified in the interest of national security.
Records related solely to internal personal rules and practices that, if released, would allow for circumvention of agency functions.
Records protected by another law that specifically exempts the records from public release.
Trade secrets, commercial or financial information obtained from a private source that could cause substantial competitive harm to the source if disclosed.
Internal records that are deliberative in nature, contain opinions and recommendations and are part of the decision-making process.
Records that, if released, would result in a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.
Investigative records or information compiled for law enforcement purposes.
Records for the use of any agency responsible for regulation or supervision of financial institutions.
Records containing geological and geographical information (including maps) concerning wells.

Release of E-mail Addresses

Air Force policy is to deny requests for lists of e-mail addresses (both personal and organizational) using FOIA exemption (b)(6).

We rely on FOIA exemption (b)(6) when denying lists of personal e-mail addresses. High (b)(2) is no longer to be used to protect internal information, the disclosure of which would risk circumvention of a statute or agency regulation. Because DoD e-mail systems are to be used only for official and authorized purposes, the addresses are considered primarily internal. The regulations at issue that could be circumvented include DoD and AF regulations that require us to limit use of e-mail to authorized purposes, and to protect the security of your computer and information systems.

Exemption (b)(6) protects information that if released would permit a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. This does not prohibit an organization from including a single e-mail address on a Web page in correspondence.

Mandatory Declassification Review

Mandatory Declassification Review: 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

FOIA Links

Air Force FOIA (opens in new window)
AF FOIA Handbook (opens in new window)

What are the fees?

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.

Privacy Act Statement

Authority: 10 USC 8013 and 5 USC 552
Principal Purpose: To obtain necessary information so that we can provide a response to your FOIA request.
Routine Use: Your request may be referred to another federal agency if the record(s) you seek originated with that agency.
Disclosure: Voluntary. However, we cannot reply to your request without the information.