Air Force
Intelligence and Security Doctrine

BY ORDER OF THE AIR FORCE INSTRUCTION 35-205
SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE 25 FEBRUARY 1994

Public Affairs

AIR FORCE SECURITY AND POLICY REVIEW PROGRAM

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

This instruction implements AFPD 35-2, Public Communication Program. The security and policy review program, established by the Secretary of Defense, is designed to protect the US Government, Department of Defense (DoD), and individual DoD members. The program provides expert review of information proposed by DoD members for public release to ensure it does not contain classified material and does not conflict with established DoD or national policy. Security review governing directives include Executive Order 12356 as implemented by DoD 5200.1-R, Information Security Program Regulation, June 1986 with Change 1, DoD 5220.22-R, Industrial Security Regulation, December 1985; DoD 5220.22-M, Industrial Security Manual for Safeguarding Classified Information, January 1991; DoD Directive 5230.9, Clearance of DoD Information for Public Release, April 2, 1982 with Change 1; AFPD 31-4, Information Security, AFI 37-131, Air Force Freedom of Information Act Program (formerly AFR 4-33); AFI 37-132, Air Force Privacy Act Program (formerly AFR 12-35); AFI 61-204, Controlling the Distribution of Classified and Unclassified Scientific and Technical Information (formerly AFR 80-30), AFPD 90-4, Relations With Congress; the Department of State International Traffic in Arms Regulations; and the DoD Militarily Critical Technologies List. Use attachment 1 for an explanation of terms.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

This instruction incorporates the requirements, information, and procedures formerly in AFR 190-1, reorganizes text, and clarifies procedures concerning submission of material for security review.

Section A--Responsibilities and Guidelines

1. Maximum Disclosure. The Air Force provides the public and the Congress maximum information about Air Force operations and activities. Air Force Public Affairs offices will clear, without delay, the maximum amount of information at the lowest competent review level. Security and policy review ensures material proposed for public release does not contain classified material and does not conflict with established DoD or US Government policy.

2. Release Authority. The security and policy review process determines the degree of releasability only. A clearance does not grant an approval to release the information. Actual release of the material is the decision of the originator, often reached through coordination with his or her chain of command. Security reviews identify classified information. They do not classify, nor do they usually declassify. The office of primary responsibility determines original classification.

3. The Office for Security Review (SAF/PAS):
3.1. Reviews information submitted to ensure it complies with security and policy standards.
3.2. Performs security review processing of historical research notes as required by DoD 5200.1-R and AFPD 31-4.
3.3. Provides review policy, guidance, and assistance to all command levels.
3.4. Reviews material to be presented to the Congress according to AFPD 90-4 and other security directives. Material includes background data as well as written statements, transcripts, inserts, and answers to questions given in testimony by Air Force witnesses intended as part of the published record of congressional hearings.
3.5. Coordinates with other Air Force organizations, Secretariat and Air Staff offices, and the Office of the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs (OATSD/PA).
____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Supersedes AFR 190-1, 30 August 1991. Certified by: SAF/PA (Col Salvatore J. Giammo)
OPR: HQ AFMC/PAX (Mr James A. Morrow) Pages: 7Distribution:

3.6. Informs the originator why information cannot be cleared for public release under security or policy standards.
3.7. Provides appeal assistance (see paragraph 15).

Section B--Releasing Information

4. Releasing Information. The Air Force provides the American people maximum information concerning Air Force activities consistent with national security and established DoD and US Government policies. Material Air Force personnel or organizations submit according to AFPD 35-2, may be cleared for release after it is reviewed for security and policy consistency. Authors must not release copies of the material outside official channels until the SAF/PAS completes its review and makes necessary amendments. Disclosure of administrative error or inefficiency is not grounds for a denial of public release. Air Force offices and functional elements that receive information for security and policy review must provide prompt response, guidance and assistance. SAF/PAS and command security review officers may communicate directly with the originator on security and policy review matters. Security review personnel will consider the Freedom of Information Act (AFI 37-131) and Privacy Act (AFI 37-132) requirements in making final review decisions.

5. Delegation of Clearance Authority. Major commands (MAJCOM) and field operating agencies (FOA) may set procedures for clearing information on subjects not covered in paragraph 16. Clearance authority should be delegated to the lowest echelon qualified to evaluate the contents and implications of the subject. Do not delegate disapproval authority to an administrative or command level not functionally competent to assess the content. At the local level:
5.1. The public affairs officer (PAO) clears unclassified information of local or regional interest. This includes speeches, interviews, and pictorial coverage. Guidance on releasing information is in AFI 35-206, Air Force Media Relations.
5.2. The local commander or designated representative clears news or photos of national interest in the spot news category, if the information does not fall within requirements of section C.

Section C--Review Requirements

6. Who Must Submit Information for Review:
6.1. All Air Force military and civilian personnel, including Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve personnel on active duty, and civilians under DoD contract, must comply with this instruction.
6.2. Members of the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, retired personnel, and former Air Force civilian employees who are not on active duty and are not releasing material related to their active duty assignment are encouraged to use this review service to ensure DoD-related information they release to the public is consistent with national security and when appropriate US Government policy.
6.3. Government contractors must submit material proposed for public release for review according to valid contract requirements as specified in DD Form 254, DoD Contract Security Classification Specification. DoD 5220.22-R and DoD 5220.22-M apply.
6.4. DoD gives its personnel in its school environments the widest latitude to express their views. In the interest of academic freedom, review is normally restricted only by security considerations. Student personnel who prepare manuscripts on defense-related topics for publication in a private and unofficial capacity must submit their material through appropriate channels for clearance before release to any publisher. Originators must ensure appropriate disclaimers accompany all publications they authorize in a private capacity. An appropriate disclaimer is: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the United States Air Force, Department of Defense, or the US Government.

7. What Must Be Submitted. DoD Directive 5230.9 requires information relating to the plans, policies, programs or operations of DoD or the US Government proposed for public release be sent through channels to OATSD/PA. Whether such information is prepared as an official release or a personal enterprise, it must be reviewed and cleared before release if it:
7.1. Originates, or is proposed for release, in the Washington DC, metropolitan area. This includes displays, exhibits, speeches, etc., but does not apply to technical papers intended for presentation at conferences or meetings that do not fall under other categories of required submission. When in doubt, submit for review.
7.2. Is, or has the potential to become, an item of national interest, or has foreign policy implications.
7.3. Concerns high-level military, DoD, or US Government policy.
7.4. Concerns subjects of potential controversy among DoD components or with other Federal agencies.
7.5. Concerns the following subject areas:
7.5.1. New weapons, weapon systems, or significant modifications or improvements to existing weapons or systems, equipment, or techniques.
7.5.2. Military operations, operations security, potential operations, and significant exercises.
7.5.3. National Command Authorities and command posts.
7.5.4. Military applications in space, nuclear weapons, including weapon-effects research; chemical warfare; defensive biological and toxin research, and high-energy lasers and particle beam technology.
7.5.5. Material, including that submitted by defense contractors, involving militarily critical technology.
7.5.6. Communications security, signals intelligence, and computer security.
7.5.7. Others as OATSD/PA may designate.

8. Information Not Requiring Review. The following information does not normally require review; however, writers must safeguard classified information:
8.1. Information not involving DoD or foreign policy, military operations, and other subjects listed in paragraph 7.
8.2. Letters to the editor, book or theatrical reviews when expressing a personal opinion, and works of fiction (short stories, novels, and plays). Such information must not imply Air Force or DoD sanction. Information may be submitted for security review when there is doubt to the security classification of information.

9. What Cannot Be Written About. Air Force military and civilian personnel may write signed articles for open publication, unless such activity:
9.1. Conflicts with the public receiving prompt and complete information on government activities through the usual public information media.
9.2. Conflicts with law.
9.3. Conflicts with ethical standards or otherwise is incompatible with the responsibilities of government personnel (see DoD Directive 5500.7, Standards of Conduct, August 30, 1993 [formerly AFR 30-30]).

10. Writing Conditions. Air Force personnel who write for publication not in connection with official duties must make sure that such activity is in accord with DoD Directive 5500.7 and is not done while on duty. They cannot use DoD facilities, property, personnel or information from official sources that are not available to the public.

11. Clear Before Committing. Air Force personnel should make no commitments, including date of delivery, to furnish abstracts or manuscripts on subjects listed in paragraph 6.2 to non-DoD publications until cleared through channels by OATSD/PA.

Section D--Review Procedures at Headquarters Air Force Level

12. Submitting Material to SAF/PAS. Originators must submit material in the correct number of copies (see paragraphs 13 and 14) through channels to SAF/PAS. MAJCOMs and FOAs forward only materials they recommend for clearance and release. Allow at least 10 workdays (plus in-transit time to and from) for review of speeches. Other material may take longer depending on the volume and complexity of submitted material. (Review by agencies outside DoD may be required.)
12.1. To expedite review and clearance, include with or attach to each copy of the material:
12.1.1. Name, title, and organization of originating unit, author or speaker.
12.1.2. Title of article or presentation.
12.1.3. Statement on where, when, and how the information is to be released, and the sponsoring organization, if appropriate.
12.1.4. Clearance date required by originator, if earlier than date of presentation or publication (give reason).
12.1.5. Statement that information has been reviewed at the appropriate lower level and is recommended for public release.
12.1.6. Signed or initialed notation by author or speaker indicating approval of the text.
12.1.7. When applicable, include a statement on technical material that export restrictions and militarily critical technologies as well as current Air Force and DoD policies have been considered. Provide all relevant comments from field unit technical coordinators and attach contractor transmittal letter, if it contains pertinent data.
12.2. For technical papers, include an abstract in lay terms and, if appropriate, tell why releasing the information is important to DoD. An abstract to be published in advance also must be reviewed, but such review does not satisfy the clearance requirement for the entire paper. Always state the previously cleared abstract case number when requesting review of the full text.
12.3. Classified references, while not forbidden, are not recommended because they provide intelligence "shopping lists" and are not available to the general public.
12.4. As an exception to the above procedures, Air Force Media Relations (SAF/PAM) assists and evaluates fast-breaking news release materials. SAF/PAM expedites clearance, coordinating with SAF/PAS as necessary (this exception should not be necessary under normal planning circumstances).
12.5. Generally, previously cleared information does not need to be submitted for review unless it contains substantive changes, or it is used in conjunction with other unclassified material. Cleared unclassified information may inadvertently be combined in such a manner that together it becomes classified or raises policy concerns.

13. Submitting Written Material. Authors must submit 10 paper or floppy disk copies of material proposed for release. The Air Force Office for Security Review will work with a bullet-format speech, if the essence of the speech is apparent to the reviewer. The clearance of a bullet-format speech will, however, cover only that material presented for review. It will not include extemporaneous remarks made during the presentation. Full text is strongly recommended. Speeches require 10 workdays for review; other material may take longer.

14. Submitting Visual Information Material. Generally, visual information material generated by Air Force organizations must be approved for release by OATSD/PA through SAF/PAS. Exceptions include information of local interest, spot news, and unclassified visual information materials requested by the media or other nongovernment agencies that have been previously cleared for release and are maintained by the Air Force Central Visual Information Library (AFCVIL), Norton AFB, CA 92409.
14.1. Submit still photographs and captions in five copies. Only high-quality photocopies are accepted. They must show enough detail to permit security and policy review.
14.2. Producers of motion picture and videotape productions must submit:
14.2.1. Ten copies of the script.
14.2.2. At least two copies of the film or videotape (three-quarter inch or one-half inch).
14.2.3. Two copies of the DD Form 1995, Visual Information (VI) Production Request and Report.
14.2.4. Documents describing legal clearances, restrictions, or rights.
14.2.5. Other requirements as specified in AFI 33-101, C4 Guidance and Responsibilities, or by the Air Combat Camera Service, Norton AFB CA 92409.
14.3. For a previously cleared script, include date of clearance and the DoD or SAF/PAS case number, if known.

15. Appeal Procedures. The originator, or authorized representative, may discuss any amendment or objection to release with SAF/PAS; however, submit formal appeals in writing through channels.
15.1. Appeals must provide strong supporting rationale and authoritative evidence. Review authorities evaluate and decide appeals based only on the additional evidence or reasoning provided.
15.2. SAF/PAS usually resolves differences of opinion between the originator or authorized representative and the reviewing agency. When this is not successful, SAF/PAS will arrange for the appeal to be considered at higher echelons of authority, either within the Air Force or OATSD/PA, as appropriate.

Section E--General Review Procedures For All Levels

16. Preparing for Security Review. Public Affairs offices should fix review responsibility with one individual, whether that person does the work alone or has a staff. Public Affairs offices must keep potential submitters informed about review requirements and procedures. Establish working relationships with staff agencies assisting in the review process. Coordinators must understand thoroughly the purpose of, and their responsibility for security and policy review.
16.1. The following points should be kept in mind when developing a security review process:
16.1.1. Keep a status log on information being reviewed.
16.1.2. Maintain an effective suspense system. Allow 5 workdays for normal coordination of cases. Use a standardized form or format to transmit cases to coordinating agencies. (This simplifies the coordinator's task and provides a record for the reviewer's files.)
16.1.3. Do not release cases outside official review channels during the security review process.
16.1.4. Make inquiries concerning cases being reviewed at higher levels of command through public affairs channels.
16.1.5. Expedite staffing at all levels to make sure that publication deadlines, speaking dates, and other valid deadlines are met.
16.1.6. Be sure to check release guidance in other regulations, such as AFI 91-204, Investigating and Reporting Mishaps, and AFI 90-301, The Inspector General Complaints Program , for Inspector General reports.
16.2. While reviewers at lower levels of command may not have access to extensive research assistance, official documents exist that can help verify information. US House of Representatives and Senate Authorizations and Appropriations hearing reports include testimony by DoD witnesses, and are available from the Government Printing Office. Posture statements by the Secretary of Defense, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Secretary of the Air Force, and Air Force Chief of Staff are authoritative, cleared statements that reflect official policy. The Air Force Policy Letter, Aerospace Speech Series, Air Force Fact Sheets, AIRMAN magazine, Air Force Update, and Air Force current messages are other reliable information sources.

17. The Step-by-Step Process:
17.1. Originators submit material through channels to the public affairs office with the required information and number of copies specified in paragraphs 13 and 14.
17.2. PAOs log in the case, review the material to determine which agencies must see it, establish a suspense date, and dispatch the case for review. For an audiovisual product, the PAO reviews the script before scheduling a coordination viewing to evaluate the product.
17.3. Coordinating agencies identify information that is classified or not consistent with official policy. Information for deletion is enclosed in brackets. All marking is done with a black pen or pencil only. Do not use colored markings; colors are used at HQ USAF and DoD levels to indicate level of clearance. Use attachment 2 as a guide for security and policy marking.
17.4. The reviewer determines releasability of the material after receiving agency inputs, evaluating staff comments thoroughly and contacting agencies to resolve issues.
17.5. When the reviewer had decided a clearance position, review action is completed or, if required, the case is sent to the next review echelon.
17.6. Once cases have been returned from higher echelon review, the reviewer re-evaluates prior amendments. The reviewer keeps one file copy showing final clearance changes and markings, plus copies of each reviewing organization's signed remarks.
17.7. A copy of the case, with final review markings and changes, or correspondence explaining a denial of clearance, is sent to the originator.

WALTER S. HOGLE, JR., Brig General, USAF
Director of Public Affairs
2 Attachments
1. Glossary of Terms
2. Guide for Reviewer's Security and Policy Marking

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

As Amended. A required change.
Audiovisual. The use of sound and visual imagery displays to communicate information (motion pictures, television, still photographs, slides and film strips, radio, recordings, graphic illustrations, models, videotapes, and demonstrations).
Clearance. Certification (in memorandum, letter, or by an official stamp) that the information has been reviewed by competent authority and is appropriate for public dissemination, after approval by the release authority.
Distribution Limitation. Unclassified technical data with military or space application is marked with a distribution statement to limit data access to government agencies, DoD components, contractors, and those eligible for export-control data. A distribution statement marking is distinct from and in addition to a security and classification marking. DoD Directive 5230.24, Distribution Statements on Technical Documents, March 18, 1987, provides explicit information on marking technical documents. Following is a brief description of the various statements.
Information. Material in any form concerning the plans, policies, programs or operations of DoD or the US Government that is proposed for public release or that may be included in material likely to be released to the public.
No Objection. Information is releasable to the public.
Open Publication. The release or dissemination of information outside official government channels.
Recommended. A suggested change but not required.
Policy Review. Review for possible conflict with established policies or programs of DoD or the US Government.
Public Domain. That area owned by the public. Information is in the public domain when it has been made available to the public.
Release. (Noun) Information prepared for distribution to any medium that disseminates information or news to the public. (Verb) The act of disseminating information to any medium.
Security Review. Review for security according to Executive Order 12356 as implemented by DoD 5200.1-R and AFPD 31-4.
Statement "A". Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. Before a document can be marked Statement "A", it must be processed for public release through Public Affairs Security Review channels.
Statement "B". Distribution authorized to US Government agencies only.
Statement "C". Distribution authorized to US Government agencies and their contractors.
Statement "D" . Distribution authorized to DoD and DoD contractors only.
Statement "E". Distribution to DoD components only.
Statement "F". Further dissemination only as directed by (insert controlling DoD office)(date of determination) or higher DoD authority. Normally used only on classified documents.
Statement "X". Distribution authorized to government agencies and private individuals or enterprises eligible to obtain export-controlled technical data.
GUIDE FOR REVIEWER's SECURITY AND POLICY MARKING

A2.1. Marking. Inclusive brackets, in black pencil, identify the nonreleasable information. Bracketed material must be removed before publication of the document. The brackets signal a mandatory AMENDMENT. Write substitute language above the brackets, in BLACK PENCIL. For editorial changes, line through once in black pencil; DO NOT use brackets.
A2.2. Amending. Amendments require specific source citations and rationale, if any. The coordinator must provide sufficient information to enable the review officer to sustain an amendment. Such documentation eliminates time-consuming discussion with the coordinator. Coordinators must supply three essential pieces of information concerning material identified as classified: classification authority, level of classification, and downgrading instructions.
A2.3. Source Citations:
A2.3.1. Classification authority sources frequently cited are: security classification guides, provisions of classified contracts (DD Form 254), Air Force publications, selected acquisition reports, development concept papers, and originating agency's determination required. When classified material is identified in a security review case, advise everyone possessing the document at once to protect it as classified.
A2.3.2. Documentation sources can be presidential pronouncements; Defense and Air Force official statements; Air Force policy directives, manuals, or policy letters.
A2.4. Objection. A coordinator may make overall objection to clearing a case. An objection does not require marking on the document, but it does need detailed supporting justification. A coordinator may make a total objection to public release, if a case requires extensive amendment or rewrite for security or policy concerns.
A2.5. Editorial Review. Editorial review is not a responsibility of security review, but coordinators may edit for clarity and accuracy. Editorial recommendations (deletions) are lined through once with black pencil; do not use brackets. Enter suggested substitute working with black pencil.
A2.6. Other Coordination. If an agency reviewer thinks the case needs to be seen by another agency, the reviewer should advise the responsible public affairs review officer. A call can save several days in the review process.
A2.7. Timeliness. Major security review timesavers include a timely coordination, the use of black pencil for marking, and the proper citing of classification sources.