AFI16-109 — International Affairs Specialist (ias) Program

AFI16-109 governs Department of the Air Force International Affairs Specialist programs, including their establishment and sustainment.

Search AFI16-109

  • Publication number: AFI16-109
  • Title: INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS SPECIALIST (IAS) PROGRAM
  • Date: 2025-02-13

View AFI16-109 on armypubs.army.mil


The publication covers Foreign Area Officer application and selection, education, training, certification, program management, and authorized-language specialty codes. It requires compliance with the publication and specifies records, waiver, and change-request processes.

Applies to: This publication applies to uniformed members of the Regular Air Force (RegAF), and Air Reserve Components (ARC), which is made up of the Air Force Reserve (AFR) and Air National Guard (ANG).

Topics covered

  • International Affairs Specialist programs
  • Foreign Area Officer application and selection
  • FAO education, training, and certification
  • FAO program management
  • Defense Language Proficiency Test
  • Foreign Area Officer clearance
  • Air Force Specialty Code classification for authorized languages

Questions and answers

How must records created under AFI16-109 be handled?

Ensure all records generated as a result of processes prescribed in this publication adhere to Air Force Instruction 33-322, Records Management and Information Governance Program, and are disposed in accordance with the Air Force Records Disposition Schedule, which is located in the Air Force Records Information Management System.

How are recommended changes to AFI16-109 submitted?

Refer recommended changes and questions about this publication to the Office of Primary Responsibility (OPR) using Department of the Air Force (DAF) Form 847, Recommendation for Change of Publication; route DAF Forms 847 from the field through the appropriate functional chain of command.

How are waiver authorities identified in AFI16-109?

The authorities to waive wing/unit level requirements in this publication are identified with a Tier (T-0, T-1, T-2, T-3) number following the compliance statement.

Where is information about waiver authorities provided?

See Department of the Air Force Manual (DAFMAN) 90-161, Publishing Processes and Procedures, Attachment 10, for a description of the authorities associated with the Tier numbers.

How are waiver requests submitted?

Submit requests for waivers through the chain of command to the appropriate Tier waiver approval authority, or alternately, to the requestor’s commander for non-tiered compliance items.

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