Brooks City-Base - Freedom of Information

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The 311th Human Systems Wing Communications Squadron is responsible for processing Freedom of Information requests under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. Written requests may be submitted by postal service, facsimile or via e-mail here.

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 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 Office of Freedom of Information site 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.

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)(6). We rely on FOIA exemption (b)(6) when denying lists of personal e-mail addresses. 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.

How to submit a FOIA request

The FOIA request must be in writing. Telephone requests are not accepted. Requesters who seek access to agency records and who cite or imply the FOIA will have their requests and appeals processed under FOIA. Provide the title of the record(s) you are requesting. If the exact title is not known, please provide a reasonable description of the records. The request must state a willingness to pay fees assessed for search, review and reproduction. Please ensure these elements are addressed in the request to avoid delays in processing.

Send requests for 311th Human Systems Wing records to
311th CS/SCSD
7735 Chambers Parkway
Brooks City-Base TX 78235-5102

Fees for Processing a FOIA Request

The FOIA allows fee charges based on the requester's category. There are three categories: commercial (pay search, review, and reproduction fees); educational, non-commercial scientific institution and news media (pay reproduction fees; first 100 pages provided at no cost); and others (pay search and reproduction fees; first two hours search and 100 pages provided at no cost). For information on FOIA fees, read PART 286 -- DOD FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT PROGRAM REGULATION here.

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Public Affairs

311th Human Systems Wing Public Affairs
2510 Kennedy Circle
Brooks City-Base, TX 78235-5115
Phone (210) 536-2410 Fax (210) 536-3235