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The Freedom of Information Act Program (DODR 5400.7) 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. A consolidated list of such records is on Defense Link and the U.S. Air Force FOIA site. Currently the law allows 20 working days to process a FOIA request upon receipt of the request in the FOIA office. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Written FOIA requests may be sent to:
14 CS/SCBR
Freedom of Information Act Manager
469 C Street, Suite 4,
Columbus AFB MS 39710-7101
Describe the records needed, as specifically as possible, and let us know the cost you are willing to pay for administrative processing. Furnish any facts or clues about the time, place, persons, events, subjects, or other details of the information or records requested. That information 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 requested records faster.
Mass Mailings
Please be advised that the Air Force will not deliver unofficial mass
mailings addressed to individuals or duty addresses. A mass mailing is
defined as 50 or more pieces of mail received on the same day from the same
mailer.
FAX FOIA requests to: (662) 434-2619 or
You may also e-mail your request to the Columbus AFB FOIA Manager.
FOIA requestors who have questions concerning the processing of their requests with the Columbus AFB FOIA Office should contact the center at (662) 434-2619, or by e-mail at foia@Columbus.af.mil.
If you are not satisfied with the response from the center, you may contact the HQ AETC FOIA Public Liaison via e-mail at aetc.foia@randolph.af.mil or by phone at (210) 652-6576 or contact the AF FOIA Public Liaison, at af.foia@pentagon.af.mil, (703) 696-6487.
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Air Force policy is to deny requests for lists of e-mail addresses (both personal and organizational) using FOIA exemption (b)(2)(high). We also rely on FOIA exemption (b)(6) when denying lists of personal e-mail addresses. High (b)(2) protects 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 of in correspondence. |
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What is the FOIA? 