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Freedom of Information Act Freedom of Information Act

The FOIA allows the general public to request records in writing from the Federal Government. Some records are released to the public under the FOIA 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.
tabWhat is the 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.
tabWho 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.
tabWhat are the fees for processing a FOIA request? 
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.
tabHow to make a FOIA request 
Effective 30 March 2009: The Air Force has established a new Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) website for submitting request online to our Requester Service Centers (RSC). https://www.efoia.af.mil/palMain.aspx

For mailing/faxing FOIA request contact Keesler Requester Service Center:


81 CS/SCOK (FOIA)
Freedom of Information Act Manager
708 Fisher Street, Room 6
Keesler AFB MS 39534-2568
Fax: 228-377-3745
81cs.scok@us.af.mil

All requests for IG records should be sent to the 502 ABW/JB6KR. If you use PAL at https://www.efoia.af.mil/palMain.aspx, select "AETC - Joint Base San Antonio Ft Sam Houston, TX." If you would like to use regular mail, address your request to:

502 ABW/JB6KR (FOIA),
B 247, Rm 134
2080 Wilson Way
Ft Sam Houston TX 78234-7680
DSN 420-0159/0147 or Comm: 210-808-0159/0147


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.

Note: Air Force-affiliated requesters, to include military and civilian employees, should not use government equipment, supplies, stationery, postage, telephones, or official mail channels to make a FOIA request.

The Electronic Freedom of Information Act, FOIA, [5 USC 552(a) (2) (D) ], requires that certain documents of interest to the general public be published electronically. Our base has determined that the materials reflected below should be made available to the general public in electronic form as FOIA-processed (a) (2) (D) records. Click here to visit the FOIA Reading Room.

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. 

FOIA requestors who have questions concerning the processing of their requests with the Keesler AFB FOIA Office should contact the center at (228)377-2286, or by e-mail at 81cs.scok@us.af.mil.
 

If dissatisfied with the response received from the Requester Service
Center, you may contact the Air Force FOIA Public Liaison Office at
af.foia@pentagon.af.mil or 202-404-1393.
 

The Keesler FOIA office processes requests for the 81st Training Wing and all tenant units at Keesler AFB except for the 403d Wing and Office of Special Investigations, Detachment 407.
tabRelease of E-mail 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.

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