Freedom of Information ActThe Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) generally provides that any person has a right, enforceable in court, to obtain access to federal agency records, except to the extent that such records (or portions of them) are protected from public disclosure by one of nine exemptions, or by one of three special law enforcement record exclusions ((b)(7)).

The Air Force has established a new Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) website for submitting request online to our Requester Service Centers (RSC). Click on the following AF Compliance Public Access Link (PAL): https://www.compliance.af.mil/Resources/FOIA/

Once there, we recommend you review all the links listed as they have been designed to provide information and guidance. Requests received by facsimile or electronically must have a mailing address included since it may not be practical to provide a substantive response electronically.

What is FOIA?

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.

Are there 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.

Declassification Request

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: SAF.AA.HAF.FOIA.Workflow@us.af.mil

Who can submit?

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.

How to make a FOIA request

Written FOIA requests may be sent to:

14 CS/SCOK
151 Downes Street, Building 900 Room 1
Columbus AFB MS 39710-6801

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) 434-3666

FOIA requestors who have questions concerning the processing of their requests with the Columbus AFB FOIA Office should contact the center at (662) 434-7301, or by e-mail at 14CS.SCOK@us.af.mil.

 

 

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

 

 

IG records

Send requests for AETC Inspector General records to the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center.

 

If using standard mail, address requests to:

AFIMSC/IZSI

ATTN:  FOIA Manager

2261 Hughes Ave Ste 133

JBSA Lackland TX  78236-9853

(210) 395-0995

Email:  AFIMSC.FOIA.Workflow@us.af.mil