C-5 Galaxy and General Electric TF39 Engine Documentation (Acquisition And Sustainment, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense, DOD)

Jordan Lassiter
Independent Investigative Journalist
Transparency Report
Email: Jordan@Lassiter.eu

Date: December 13, 2024

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the United States Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552, I hereby request the following records:

Subject: Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request – C-5 Galaxy and General Electric TF39 Engine Documentation

Recipients:
1. U.S. Air Force FOIA Office
1800 Air Force Pentagon
Washington, DC 20330-1800
2. Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (A&S)
Chief, FOIA Policy Division
1155 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301-1155

Requested Records

I request access to and copies of the following records, spanning the time period from the introduction of the C-5 Galaxy (1969) to its official retirement on September 7, 2017:
1. General Electric TF39 Engine Technical Specifications and Manuals:
• Detailed technical specifications, design schematics, maintenance manuals, and performance parameters for the General Electric TF39 engine used in the C-5 Galaxy aircraft.
Legal Basis: NLRB v. Robbins Tire & Rubber Co., 437 U.S. 214 (1978), emphasizes FOIA’s purpose of informing the public about “what their government is up to,” supporting the transparency of technical records.
2. Testing and Evaluation Reports:
• Records documenting testing and evaluations of the TF39 engine to assess performance, safety, and operational efficiency.
Legal Basis: Department of Air Force v. Rose, 425 U.S. 352 (1976), establishes that exemptions must be narrowly construed to uphold FOIA’s goal of public access.
3. Procurement Records:
• Contracts, agreements, or procurement documentation between the Department of Defense, the Air Force, and General Electric relating to the TF39 engine.
Legal Basis: In Milner v. Department of Navy, 562 U.S. 562 (2011), the Court ruled that information unrelated to internal personnel rules is not exempt under FOIA Exemption 2.
4. Maintenance Protocols and Standards:
• Records outlining maintenance standards, procedures, and guidelines for the operation and upkeep of the TF39 engine.
Legal Basis: Judicial Watch, Inc. v. U.S. Dep’t of Def., 857 F. Supp. 2d 44 (D.D.C. 2012), reaffirms that agencies bear the burden of justifying nondisclosure of requested materials.
5. Interagency Communications and Collaboration:
• Correspondence between the Air Force, DoD, and General Electric, including internal memoranda or communications about the TF39 engine’s development, maintenance, and eventual retirement.
Legal Basis: Disclosure of interagency communications is supported by John Doe Agency v. John Doe Corp., 493 U.S. 146 (1989), where the Court emphasized FOIA’s intent to reveal “the workings of the government.”
6. Declassified Records of C-5 Galaxy and TF39 Engine Upgrades or Modifications:
• Any records reflecting upgrades or modifications to the TF39 engine or C-5 Galaxy since their initial production, including performance improvements and eventual transition to newer systems.
Legal Basis: In American Civil Liberties Union v. U.S. Dep’t of Def., 628 F.3d 612 (D.C. Cir. 2011), the court mandated disclosure of declassified records to promote FOIA’s transparency objectives.

Segregability of Non-Exempt Portions

If any portion of the requested records is deemed exempt from disclosure, I request the release of all reasonably segregable non-exempt portions, as required by Vaughn v. Rosen, 484 F.2d 820 (D.C. Cir. 1973). Agencies must provide detailed justifications for withheld information, including an exemption log.

Preservation of Records

Please note your legal obligation to preserve all potentially responsive records. Any destruction of such records without proper justification constitutes a violation of FOIA’s statutory requirements.

Fee Waiver Request

As an independent investigative journalist with Transparency Report, I request a waiver of all fees associated with this request under 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(4)(A)(iii). Disclosure of the requested information serves the public interest by significantly enhancing public understanding of military aviation technology and government operations. This request is not for commercial use.

Legal Basis: Under Cause of Action v. FTC, 799 F.3d 1108 (D.C. Cir. 2015), fee waivers must be granted for requests that contribute to public understanding of government activities.

If a fee waiver is denied, I agree to pay up to $200 for processing fees and request prior notification if costs exceed this amount.

Expedited Processing Request

I request expedited processing under 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(6)(E) because the requested information pertains to matters of significant public interest involving national defense and advancements in military aviation.

Legal Basis: In Al-Fayed v. CIA, 254 F.3d 300 (D.C. Cir. 2001), the Court recognized the need for expedited processing for issues of compelling public interest.

Response Format and Timeline

Please provide the requested records in electronic format where possible. As stipulated by FOIA, I look forward to your response within twenty business days. If any part of this request is unclear, please contact me at Jordan@Lassiter.eu for clarification.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
Jordan Lassiter
Independent Investigative Journalist
Transparency Report

Enclosure: Fee Waiver Request Letter