Requester Service Center

The Business and Enterprise Systems (BES), Customer Service Division (AFLCMC/GBC) is responsible for processing requests for records under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act and is located at Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Gunter Annex.

For other units located at Gunter Annex, please contact the Maxwell-Gunter AFB FOIA RSC. For other AFLCMC units contact the Wright-Patterson AFB FOIA RSC.  Records held at other facilities will be forwarded to the appropriate RSC.

Maxwell-Gunter AFB FOIA RSC

Wright-Patterson AFB FOIA RSC

contact us

Mailing Address:

AFLCMC/GBC, FOIA

490 E. Moore Dr.

Maxwell-Gunter AFB, AL  36114 

Phone:

(334) 416-7222

DSN 596-7222

E-mail: 

AFLCMC.Gunter.FOIAPA@us.af.mil

DAF FOIA PUBLIC LIAISON OFFICE

If you are dissatisfied with the services provided by this RSC, you may contact the DAF FOIA Office for assistance. Please do not send FOIA requests to this office.

DAF FOIA Public Liaison Office

1800 Air Force Pentagon

Washington DC 20330-1800

Phone: (703) 614-8500

Email: DAF.FOIA@us.af.mil

What is the FOIA?

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a disclosure statute. Information is releasable to the public unless exempted under one of the nine FOIA exemptions (b)(1) through (b)(9). The FOIA applies to records created or obtained by an agency, and to records under the agency’s control at the time of the FOIA request. Agencies within the executive branch of the federal government, including the Executive Office of the President and independent regulatory agencies are subject to the FOIA. State governments, municipal corporations, the courts, Congress and private citizens are not subject to the FOIA. The FOIA 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. However, records released to the public under the FOIA may be redacted in accordance with the nice statuary exemptions, two law enforcement record exclusions and privacy information where the public disclosure would constitute unreasonable invasion of personal privacy.

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 be consulted for access to state and local records.

HOW TO SUBMIT A REQUEST

Send written requests by postal service, electronically via e-mail or thru the Department of the Air Force e-FOIA Request System. Include a mailing address in your electronic correspondence (e-mail) in the event is it is impractical for us to response to you electronically.

Submit a FOIA Request Online

Sample FOIA Request Letter

Request a copy of my Military Personnel Records DD214

Request a copy of Military Medical Records

 

PRIVACY REQUEST

Privacy Act requests are those seeking records on yourself, and you must provide proof of identity.  At this time, Privacy Act requests are only accepted by mailing/faxing directly to the appropriate Requester Service Center.

NOTE:  Air Force-affiliated requesters, to include military and civilian employees, may not use government equipment, supplies, stationery, postage, telephones, or official mail channels to make FOIA requests.  Make requests through your personal e-mail and/or postal service.

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)(6). High (b)(2) is no longer to be used to protect 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.

PROCESSING FEES

Fees are based on the requester’s category.

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.

Click here for details on fee structure

FEE WAIVERS

Documents shall be furnished without charge, or at a charge reduced below fees assessed to the categories of requesters in subsection. The component determines that waiver or reduction of the fees is in the public interest because furnishing the information is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of the Department of Defense and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester.

Click here for details on fee waivers

PROCESSING TIMELINE

Currently, the law allows the FOIA RCS 20 working days to process a request, from the day the request is assigned or received. However, when a DoD Component determines that unusual circumstances, as those terms are defined by the FOIA, apply to the processing of the request, and provides timely written notice to the requester, then the DoD Component is granted an additional ten days.

EXPEDITED PROCESSING

A requester may ask for expedited processing by providing a details statement demonstrating that the request involves:

  1. Imminent threat to the life or physical safety of an individual.
  2. An urgency to inform the public about an actual or alleged federal government activity.
  3. Loss of substantial due process rights.
  4. A matter of widespread and exceptional media interest in which there exists possible questions about the government's integrity which affect public confidence.

When a requester seeks expedited processing, FOIA offices must respond in writing to the requester within 10 calendar days after receipt of the request approving or denying their request for expedited processing. Requesters have a right to appeal an adverse decision. Expedited processing moves your request to the top of the queue, but it is still processed within the 20 workdays allowed by law.

Click here for details on expedited processing