Records transfer marks historic milestone

  • Published
  • By Daniel Elkins
  • Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs Office
ST. LOUIS (AFNS) --  The transfer of approximately 177,000 official military personnel files from the Air Force to the National Archives and Records Administration here Nov. 18 marked a milestone as the final service to make its historical documents a part of the public record.

"This is an especially historic day for the United States Air Force," said Ron Hindman, the National Personnel Records Center director.

"With the establishment of the Air Force as a separate military service in 1947, the air arm of our nation's military was official created," he said. "We celebrate the next stage for the Air Force as the first official military personnel files begin a second life as archival documents of the United States."

The ceremonial transfer took place at the National Personnel Records Center here and included representatives from the National Archives and Records Administration, the Air Force Personnel Center and the offices of Missouri Sens. Kit Bonds and Claire McCaskill.

In a 2004 agreement between the Department of Defense and the U.S. archivist, official military personnel files were deemed permanent records of the United States. In a subsequent agreement, it was decided that the personnel files become archival 62 years after an Airman was discharged, retired or died in service.

On the Air Force's 62nd birthday Sept. 18, 2009, the first group of records was officially transferred to the national archives for permanent retention. Among the Air Force personnel files now part of the public record of the national archives are those of such airpower pioneers as Gen. James Doolittle and Brig. Gen. William "Billy" Mitchell as well as other records of persons of exceptional prominence to include Capt. Lance P. Sijan and Capt. Mary T. Klinker.

"It's important that everyone knows how truly significant this milestone is and understands that the contributions and differences they make in the lives of others around the world will be safeguarded as a historical document for this nation," said Col. Julie Robel, the chief of the sustainment division for AFPC at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas.

Comprising 5,058 cubic feet, the volume of records in the initial transfer equates to the combined cargo of one and a half C-17 Globemaster IIIs. As Air Force personnel files continue to reach maturity at 62 years, they will be transferred to national archives ownership.

Mr. Hindman said only about 3 percent of all records created in the federal government are given the designation as archival records.

"They are considered the most intrinsically valuable records of the federal government because they best document the democratic experience for our future generations," he added.

Mr. Hindman said each of the personnel files is rich with content material and documents the individual member's participation in the military.

"Genealogists, family members, historians and a variety of researchers already have and will continue to seek material obtained in these valuable records to better understand military service, family ties and the price of freedom," he said. "Already these OMPFs are among the most sought records in the national archives, and we expect this to continue as more and more records are opened to the public."

Prior to the transfer of records to the national archives, access to these personnel files was limited to veterans, their primary next of kin and federal agencies largely for validating benefits. The ownership of these records by the national archives now makes them open to the public. While the Privacy Act no longer applies to archival records, exemptions of the Freedom of Information Act continue to protect the personal privacy of the members and their families and Social Security numbers are redacted before release.

For more information and the access to the national archives, visit www.vetrecs.archives.gov.