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Freedom of Information Act

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.

Who can submit a FOIA 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.

How to make a FOIA request

Send requests for Joint Base Andrews records to 844 CG/SCPKR (FOIA), 1535 Command Drive, Suite B-109, Joint Base Andrews, MD 20762. 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, facsimile or electronically. Faxed or e-mailed requests must have a mailing address included since it may not be practical to provide a substantive response electronically.

FOIA requesters who have any questions concerning the processing of their requests with the 844th Communications Group should contact this center at 301-981-4088 or 5007. If dissatisfied with the response received from the center, you may contact the FOIA Public Liaison at (703) 696-6487 or email af.foiapa@pentagon.af.mil.

Helpful links:

Joint Base Andrews FOIA page
Air Force FOIA page
Department of Defense FOIA page
DoD Freedom of Information handbook

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