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.

The electronic reading room is located on the Air Force Freedom of Information Act web page at http://www.foia.af.mil/index.asp under the title "Reading Room."

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.

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.

For submitting Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests online to our requester service centers (RSC), click on the following AF eFOIA Public Access Link here.

FOIA requests for AFCEC information should be filed through the Air Force Public Access Link here, and choose Joint Base San Antonio, (Lackland, Randolph, & Ft Sam Houston), Texas as the location to be searched.

In all requests, please ensure you mention "FOIA" and indicate a willingness to pay fees associated with the processing of your request or, in the alternative, why a waiver of fees may be appropriate. Written requests may be received by postal service, e-mail or facsimile. Faxed or e-mailed requests must have a mailing address included since it may not be practical to provide a substantive response electronically.

Sample FOIA request letter

If you are dissatisfied with the response received from the requestor service center, you may contact the Air Force FOIA public liaison at DAF.FOIA@us.af.mil or (703) 614-8500.