Freedom Of Information Act

The Freedom of Information Act Program (DODM5400.07_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. 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. 

Who Can Submit a 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.

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.

MANDATORY DECLASSIFICATION REVIEW

Mandatory Declassification Review: Executive Order 12958 allows you to request declassification of classified records. 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

Telephone: (703) 695-2226

Submitting a Request

Due to the current situation regarding COVID-19, the Joint Base Charleston Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Office is teleworking until further notice.  The FOIA manager will continue to process FOIA requests to the best of their capability; however, we anticipate there could be delays in response times.  We appreciate your patience and understanding

FOIA requests for Joint Base Charleston must be submitted in writing and include contact information, a clear and detailed description of the desired records and a statement on willingness to pay applicable fees for search, review and reproduction. Submit requests online, via email, mail, or hand carry to the following address:

628 CS/SCXK (FOIA)
103 N. Graves Ave., Bldg. 302
JB Charleston, SC 29404
Phone: (843) 963-3273/DSN 673-3273

To submit a request online utilizing the Air Force FOIA Public Access Link, click here.

To submit a FOIA request to the Joint Base Charleston FOIA Requestor Service Center, click here for the Joint Base Charleston FOIA Request Form. Or email 628cs.foia@us.af.mil to have the FOIA request form emailed to you.

 

AIR FORCE FOIA PUBLIC LIAISON

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 DAF.FOIA@us.af.mil or (703) 614-8500. (Please do not send FOIA request to this office)

Air Force FOIA Web site
DoD Freedom of Information Handbook

Release Of Email Addresses

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. 

AIR FORCE FOIA LIBRARY

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.

A consolidated list of such records is available in the AF FOIA Library.
https://foia.usaf.afpims.mil/Library/