AFDW - Freedom of Information

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Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

The 844th Communications Group is responsible for processing requests for Air Force District of Washington records under the FOIA provisions. Written requests may be received by postal service, facsimile or via e-mail. 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 the FOIA?

The Freedom of Information Act Program (DODR 5400.7) allows the general public 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 by the FOIA office.

Who can submit a FOIA request?

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.

Who may request records in writing:

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

What 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.

How to make a FOIA request

Send requests to:
FOIA OFFICE
744CS/SCPP
1558 Alabama Ave, Suite 9
Joint Base Andrews, MD 20762.

Please ensure you mention "FOIA." 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 via e-mail.

Faxed or e-mailed requests must have a return mailing address included.

Release 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 Air Force 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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Contact the AFDW FOIA Office

744CS/SCPP (FOIA OFFICE)
1558 Alabama Ave. Suite 9
Joint Base Andrews, MD
20762
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Comm: (301) 981-4088
DSN: 858-4088
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Fax: (301) 981-5300
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E-mail the FOIA Office.

Air Force FOIA Site

In accordance with IAW DoD Regulation 5400.7-R, AFMAN 33-302, below is the link to the FOIA electronic reading room (ERR) site:

Air Force FOIA Webiste