Captain Sentry
| Tracking # |
2024-00453-F |
| Submitted | Oct. 16, 2023 |
MuckRock users can file, duplicate, track, and share public records requests like this one. Learn more.
Communications
From: Nicholas Marritz
Dear Tinker Air Force Base:
This is a request for records under the Freedom of Information Act.
RECORDS REQUESTED:
I am seeking records related to "Captain Sentry," the mascot of the 552nd Air Control Wing.
Specifically, I request the following records:
1. Please produce all records related to the conception, creation, and design of Captain Sentry. Please include any contracts or design concepts (e.g. sketches) in your production, as well as any records related to the Air Force's decision to create the mascot in the first place.
2. Please produce all Captain Sentry-related promotional items, educational items, or tchotchkes that take the form of records, such as trading cards, posters, photographs, videos, or books (including but not limited to coloring books, activity books, or comic books).
3. Please produce all records related to the conception, creation, design, and use of any wearable Captain Sentry Sentry costumes, such as the one depicted in the attached photo and at the following links:
https://www.507arw.afrc.af.mil/News/Photos/igphoto/2003245926/
https://www.facebook.com/552acw/posts/363945359110596/.
Responsive records would include contracts for the design or production of such a costume; design proposals or sketches; correspondence with the designer or manufacturer; and any guidelines related to the use of or care for the costume.
4. Please produce all communications related to Captain Sentry.
5. Please produce all correspondence related to Captain Sentry (or to mascots in general) sent to or from any Congressional member, office, committee, or staff. U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) may have sent some responsive correspondence around 2019.
6. Please produce all records related to any proposal or decision to stop using the Captain Sentry mascot.
REQUEST FOR FEE WAIVER:
The requested documents will be made available to the general public online for free, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes. I am working on a project examining the history, creation, evolution, and use of mascots across the federal government—because, like many others, I find them fascinating and weirdly delightful. Thus, I respectfully request that any fees related to this request be waived. If you do decide to charge me fees, please notify me in advance if you expect those fees to exceed $25.
FORM OF PRODUCTION:
I would prefer that this request be filled electronically, by email attachment if available or on CD-ROM if not.
CONCLUSION:
Thank you very much for your cooperation with this request. I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Sincerely,
Nicholas Marritz
-
230602-F-EW270-1008.JPG
From: Tinker Air Force Base
Dear Nicholas Marritz,
The status of your FOIA request #2024-00453-F has been updated to the following status 'Received'. To log into the PAL Application click on the Application URL below.
Sincerely,
Air Force FOIA Requester Service Center
From: Tinker Air Force Base
Dear Nicholas Marritz,
Your request has been received by the Air Force FOIA Requester Service Center. The request has been assigned tracking # 2024-00453-F, please log into your account and review your submission.
The application address is https://efoia.cce.af.mil/.
Thank you,
Air Force FOIA Requester Service Center
From: Tinker Air Force Base
Dear Mr. Marritz,
This is in response to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request dated 24-Oct-23, and assigned case number 2024-00453-F, where you seek the following: This is a request for records under the Freedom of Information Act.RECORDS REQUESTED:I am seeking records related to "Captain Sentry," the mascot of the 552nd Air Control Wing.Specifically, I request the following records:1. Please produce all records related to the conception, creation, and design of Captain Sentry. Please include any contracts or design concepts (e.g. sketches) in your production, as well as any records related to the Air Force's decision to create the mascot in the first place.2. Please produce all Captain Sentry-related promotional items, educational items, or tchotchkes that take the form of records, such as trading cards, posters, photographs, videos, or books (including but not limited to coloring books, activity books, or comic books).3. Please produce all records related to the conception, creation, design, and use of any wearable Captain Sentry Sentry costumes, such as the one depicted in the attached photo and at the following links:https://www.507arw.afrc.af.mil/News/Photos/igphoto/2003245926/https://www.facebook.com/552acw/posts/363945359110596/.Responsive records would include contracts for the design or production of such a costume; design proposals or sketches; correspondence with the designer or manufacturer; and any guidelines related to the use of or care for the costume.4. Please produce all communications related to Captain Sentry.5. Please produce all correspondence related to Captain Sentry (or to mascots in general) sent to or from any Congressional member, office, committee, or staff. U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) may have sent some responsive correspondence around 2019.6. Please produce all records related to any proposal or decision to stop using the Captain Sentry mascot.REQUEST FOR FEE WAIVER:The requested documents will be made available to the general public online for free, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes. I am working on a project examining the history, creation, evolution, and use of mascots across the federal government—because, like many others, I find them fascinating and weirdly delightful. Thus, I respectfully request that any fees related to this request be waived. If you do decide to charge me fees, please notify me in advance if you expect those fees to exceed $25.
Basedon the information you have requested, we placed your request in the Simple processing multi-track.A simple request is one that “can be processed quickly with limited impact onthe responding units. The request clearly identifies the recordswith no (or few) complicating factors involved. There are few or no responsiverecords. Only one installation is involved and there are no outside OPRs. Thereare no classified or nongovernment records. No deliberative process/privilegedmaterials are involved. The responsiverecords contain no (or limited) personal privacy information and do not comefrom a Privacy Act system of records. Notime extensions are anticipated.”
Weestimate we can provide a response to your request within 20 working days. Ourpolicy is to process requests within their respective tracks in the order inwhich we receive them. FOIA request are processed as quickly as possible. Wewill advise you if we cannot provide a response within the FOIA statutorytimeline. Wehave placed you in the “Commercial”Fee category for processing. Under thiscategory, you may be charged for all search, review and duplication (paper) costs. Direct questions to tinker.foia@us.af.mil and reference the above FOIA case number. Sincerely,
//SIGNED// Tinker Air Force Base
Freedom of Information Act Manager
From: Nicholas Marritz
Dear FOIA Manager:
Thank you for your response. As always, I greatly appreciate your time. However, I believe you may have put me in the wrong fee category: I have no commercial interest in these records. When I last requested records from Tinker AFB—records that were very similar to the ones I am requesting here—you put me in the Educational or Noncommercial Scientific Institution or News Media category. I would respectfully ask that you put me in that same fee category again.
With sincere thanks,
Nicholas Marritz
From: Tinker Air Force Base
My apologizies. I will move you into the fee category.
From: Tinker Air Force Base
Dear Mr. Marritz This is a final response to your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request dated 24-Oct-23, and assigned case number 2024-00453-F, where you seek the following: I am seeking records related to "Captain Sentry," themascot of the 552nd Air Control Wing. Specifically, I request the following records: 1. Please produce all records related to the conception,creation, and design of Captain Sentry. Please include any contracts or designconcepts (e.g. sketches) in your production, as well as any records related tothe Air Force's decision to create the mascot in the first place. 2. Please produce all Captain Sentry-related promotional items,educational items, or tchotchkes that take the form of records, such as tradingcards, posters, photographs, videos, or books (including but not limited tocoloring books, activity books, or comic books). 3. Please produce all records related to the conception,creation, design, and use of any wearable Captain Sentry Sentry costumes, suchas the one depicted in the attached photo and at the following links: https://www.507arw.afrc.af.mil/News/Photos/igphoto/2003245926/ (https://www.507arw.afrc.af.mil/News/Photos/igphoto/2003245926/) https://www.facebook.com/552acw/posts/363945359110596/ (https://www.facebook.com/552acw/posts/363945359110596/) . Responsive records would include contracts for the design orproduction of such a costume; design proposals or sketches; correspondence withthe designer or manufacturer; and any guidelines related to the use of or carefor the costume. 4. Please produce all communications related to Captain Sentry. 5. Please produce all correspondence related to Captain Sentry(or to mascots in general) sent to or from any Congressional member, office,committee, or staff. U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) may have sent someresponsive correspondence around 2019. 6. Please produce all records related to any proposal ordecision to stop using the Captain Sentry mascot.
We reviewed 74 pages for release anddetermined they are fully releasable in accordancewith 5 U.S.C. §552a. Y ou agreed to accept clearly release documents; therefore, this is considered a full release under the FOIA. As you agreed, we removed third-party information to protect the privacy of the individuals named in the documents. Our review included consideration of the “Foreseeable Harm Standard.” The records areattached. If you disagree and interpret thisresponse as an adverse action, you may write to the Secretary of the Air Force, through: 72 ABW/SCOK, 8500 Industrial Blvd, Bldg 3001G, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma 73145 within 90calendar days from the date of this letter. Include in the appeal your reasons for reconsideration, and attach acopy of this letter. You may also submit your appeal on line at the Air Force’sPublic Access Link: https://efoia.cce.af.mil/ (https://efoia.cce.af.mil/) You may contact the Air Force FOIAPublic Liaison Officer, Mr. Robert Bivins, concerning this final response at AirForce FOIA Public Liaison Office, 1800 Air Force Pentagon, Washington, DC20330-1800 or DAF.FOIA@us.af.mil or(703) 614-8500. You may also seek dispute resolution services from the Officeof Government Information Services, and can find information on this Office at (mailto:DAF.FOIA@us.af.mil) https://www.archives.gov/ogis/mediation-program/request-assistance. (https://www.archives.gov/ogis/mediation-program/request-assistance) Using thedispute resolution services, will not affect your appeal rights. he FOIA provides for the collectionof fees based on the costs of processing a FOIA request and your feecategory. In this case, we assessed nofees for processing this request.
Direct questions to tinker.foia@us.af.mil andreference the above FOIA case number. Sincerely,
//SIGNED//
Tinker Air Force Base
Freedom of Information Act Manager Attachment:
ReleasableRecords (74 pages)
From: Tinker Air Force Base
Dear Nicholas Marritz,
The status of your FOIA request #2024-00453-F has been updated to the following status 'Documents Delivered'. To log into the PAL Application click on the Application URL below.
Sincerely,
Air Force FOIA Requester Service Center
From: Nicholas Marritz
Thank you so much for these records, and for the additional info!
Very respectfully,
Nicholas Marritz
Files
pages