C-5 Galaxy and General Electric TF39 Engine Documentation (Air Force)

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

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

Date: December 18, 2024

To:
HAF FOIA Team
SAF/AAII (FOIA)
Office of the Secretary of the Air Force
1000 Air Force Pentagon
Washington, DC 20330-1000
Email: SAF.AA.HAF.FOIA.Workflow@us.af.mil

Subject: Clarification of FOIA Request – 2025-01744-F

Dear HAF FOIA Team,

This is in response to your December 17, 2024, acknowledgment letter requesting clarification regarding my FOIA request, assigned tracking number 2025-01744-F. Thank you for the opportunity to provide additional details to facilitate the search.

Clarified Request

I am seeking access to and copies of all records related to the C-5 Galaxy aircraft and the General Electric TF39 engine for the date range spanning from the introduction of the C-5 Galaxy in 1969 through its official retirement on September 7, 2017. This request includes but is not limited to:

1. Technical Specifications and Manuals
• All available technical specifications, engineering schematics, design drawings, performance parameters, and maintenance or operational manuals for the General Electric TF39 engine and the C-5 Galaxy aircraft.

2. Testing and Evaluation Records
• Records related to:
• Performance testing of the TF39 engine.
• Flight testing and evaluations of the C-5 Galaxy aircraft.
• Safety assessments, risk evaluations, and operational efficiency reports for both the aircraft and engine.
• Records regarding the engine’s performance under varying operational and environmental conditions.

3. Procurement, Contract, and Maintenance Records
• Copies of procurement records, including contracts, agreements, and statements of work between the Air Force and General Electric or other vendors related to the TF39 engine and the C-5 Galaxy aircraft.
• Documentation of maintenance protocols, service life guidelines, spare parts management, and overhaul processes for the TF39 engine and the C-5 Galaxy.
• Records of funding or cost analyses related to the engine’s and aircraft’s lifecycle.

4. Upgrades and Modifications
• Documents outlining upgrades, retrofits, or major modifications to the C-5 Galaxy aircraft or the TF39 engine, including programs such as the C-5M Super Galaxy modernization or any other relevant modifications.
• Records regarding integration of updated technologies or components into the engine or airframe.

5. Retirement and Transition Planning
• All records related to the planning and execution of the retirement of the C-5 Galaxy aircraft and its TF39 engine, including:
• Decommissioning schedules.
• Transition plans to newer aircraft models or replacement systems.
• Reports on the end-of-life process for the TF39 engine.

6. Communications and Interagency Correspondence
• Internal and external communications, including emails, memoranda, and correspondence, involving Air Force leadership, Air Force Materiel Command, Air Mobility Command, and General Electric related to:
• The development, procurement, and maintenance of the C-5 Galaxy and TF39 engine.
• Decisions regarding upgrades, operational challenges, or retirement.
• Communications between the Air Force and any other federal agencies, private contractors, or vendors concerning the C-5 Galaxy and its TF39 engine.

7. After-Action and Operational Reports
• Any after-action reports, operational reviews, or performance summaries detailing lessons learned, mission successes or failures, and key takeaways from the operational history of the C-5 Galaxy and TF39 engine.

8. Wire Communications and Other Forms of Records
• Records, including wire communications, secure transmissions, electronic communications, and radio logs related to:
• The operational use of the C-5 Galaxy and its TF39 engine.
• Interagency coordination for missions involving the C-5 Galaxy.

Relevant Terminology and Context

To assist your office in locating responsive records, I would like to highlight that records may include terminology relevant to Air Force operations, maintenance, and acquisition. This includes but is not limited to:
• “Technical Orders (T.O.s)”
• “Sustainment Programs”
• “System Program Office (SPO)”
• “Mission Capability Assessments”
• “End Item Documentation”
• “Depot-Level Maintenance Reports”
• “Airworthiness Directives”
• “C-5 Galaxy Modernization Program”
• “General Electric TF39 Engine Reliability Reports”

Additionally, these records may be located under Air Force Materiel Command, Air Mobility Command, or other relevant offices managing the lifecycle of strategic airlift assets.

Relevance to Public Interest

This request is made in the public interest, as the C-5 Galaxy and its TF39 engine represent a key part of U.S. Air Force history, logistics, and technological advancement. The requested records will enhance public understanding of government operations, transparency in military procurement, and the lifecycle management of essential defense assets.

Fee Waiver Request

As an independent investigative journalist with Transparency Report, I respectfully reiterate my request for a fee waiver under 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(4)(A)(iii). Disclosure of this information serves the public interest by significantly enhancing public understanding of the operations and history of the Air Force’s aircraft fleet.

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.

Contact Information

If further clarification is required, I am happy to assist. Please contact me via email at Jordan@Lassiter.eu.

Thank you for your time and assistance.

Sincerely,
Jordan Lassiter
Independent Investigative Journalist
Transparency Report

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

Date: January 3 2025

To:
HAF FOIA Team
SAF/AAII (FOIA)
Office of the Secretary of the Air Force
1000 Air Force Pentagon
Washington, DC 20330-1000
Email: SAF.AA.HAF.FOIA.Workflow@us.af.mil

Subject: Follow-Up on Clarification for FOIA Request – 2025-01744-F

Dear HAF FOIA Team,

This letter serves as a follow-up to my previous communication regarding FOIA request 2025-01744-F, which seeks records related to the C-5 Galaxy aircraft and General Electric TF39 engine. On December 17, 2024, I received your request for clarification, and I promptly provided a detailed response with specific descriptions of the records I am seeking. However, I have not yet received acknowledgment of my clarification email.

To ensure the continued processing of my request, I am reattaching the clarification I provided in my previous email for your review:

Clarified Request

I am seeking access to and copies of all records related to the C-5 Galaxy aircraft and the General Electric TF39 engine for the date range spanning from the introduction of the C-5 Galaxy in 1969 through its official retirement on September 7, 2017. This request includes but is not limited to:
1. Technical Specifications and Manuals: Technical specifications, engineering schematics, design drawings, performance parameters, and maintenance or operational manuals for the General Electric TF39 engine and the C-5 Galaxy aircraft.
2. Testing and Evaluation Records: Records related to performance testing, flight evaluations, safety assessments, and operational efficiency of the TF39 engine and the C-5 Galaxy.
3. Procurement and Maintenance Records: Contracts, maintenance protocols, service life guidelines, and cost analyses related to the lifecycle of the TF39 engine and the C-5 Galaxy.
4. Upgrades and Modifications: Documents outlining upgrades, retrofits, and major modifications to the C-5 Galaxy and TF39 engine, including programs like the C-5M Super Galaxy modernization.
5. Retirement and Transition Planning: All records related to the planning and execution of the retirement of the C-5 Galaxy and its TF39 engine.
6. Communications and Interagency Correspondence: Internal and external communications between Air Force leadership, Air Force Materiel Command, and General Electric related to the C-5 Galaxy and TF39 engine.
7. After-Action and Operational Reports: After-action reviews, operational history summaries, and performance evaluations of the C-5 Galaxy and TF39 engine.
8. Wire Communications and Other Forms of Records: Records including wire communications, secure transmissions, electronic communications, and radio logs related to the operational use of the C-5 Galaxy and TF39 engine.

I believe this clarification sufficiently describes the specific records I am requesting, including detailed subject areas, types of documents, and date ranges. Please confirm receipt of this email and provide an update on the status of my FOIA request. If additional information is needed, do not hesitate to contact me at Jordan@Lassiter.eu.

Additionally, as your office indicated that the request is on hold until January 3, 2024, I respectfully ask that you continue processing my FOIA request without delay.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
Jordan Lassiter
Independent Investigative Journalist
Transparency Report