AFPD16-7 governs Air Force management, administration, and oversight of Special Access Programs for which the Air Force has Cognizant Authority.
View AFPD16-7 on armypubs.army.mil
AFPD16-7 addresses governance, access, establishment, security, congressional oversight, and participation in Special Access Programs. It requires compliance with applicable statutes, regulations, directives, and instructions, with written approval for exceptions.
Access to Special Access Programs shall be limited to the minimum number of personnel necessary to meet mission requirements. (paragraph 1)
Special Access Programs shall be established and maintained only when absolutely necessary to protect the most sensitive Air Force capabilities, information, technologies, and operations or when required by statute. (paragraph 1)
The Air Force shall only execute Special Access Programs established by the Secretary of Defense or Deputy Secretary of Defense. (paragraph 2)
All exceptions must be approved, in writing, by the appropriate waiver authority. (paragraph 2)
Unless approved by the Secretary of Defense or Deputy Secretary of Defense, only the chair, the ranking minority member, and the staff directors of the defense and intelligence committees shall be authorized access to waived SAPs within their committee’s respective oversight role (see Department of Defense Directive 5205.07).