AFPD51-4 — Operations and International Law

AFPD51-4 governs Air Force operations and international law, including international agreements, law of war compliance, and reportable incidents.

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  • Publication number: AFPD51-4
  • Title: Operations and International Law
  • Date: 2018-07-24

View AFPD51-4 on armypubs.army.mil


AFPD51-4 addresses foreign tax relief, asylum or temporary refuge, foreign criminal jurisdiction, and assistance to friendly foreign forces. It requires compliance with the law of war, legal reviews of weapons and relevant cyber capabilities, and specified actions for international agreements and investigations.

Applies to: This directive applies to all Air Force personnel (Regular Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard military and all civilian appropriated and nonappropriated fund employee personnel and those with a contractual obligation to abide by the terms of Air Force issuances).

Topics covered

  • International agreements
  • Foreign tax relief
  • Asylum or temporary refuge
  • Foreign criminal jurisdiction
  • Friendly foreign forces
  • Law of war
  • Weapon systems legal reviews
  • Reportable incidents

Questions and answers

How must Air Force personnel handle international agreements?

Air Force personnel, or those serving with or accompanying the Air Force, initiate, negotiate, and conclude international agreements in accordance with the Case-Zablocki Act, Title 1 United States Code (USC) Section 112b, DoDD 5530.3. (paragraph 1)

What does the Air Force require regarding the law of war?

The Air Force and its personnel comply with the law of war at all times. (paragraph 701-706)

What legal reviews are required for weapons and cyber capabilities?

The Air Force also requires legal reviews of all weapons, weapon systems, and relevant cyber capabilities to ensure compliance with the law of war. (paragraph 701-706)

What relief does the Air Force seek from foreign taxes?

The Air Force obtains, to the maximum extent practicable, effective relief from foreign taxes whenever the ultimate economic burden of those taxes will be paid with funds appropriated or allocated to the Air Force, or under the control of its nonappropriated fund activities. (paragraph 1)

How are requests for asylum or temporary refuge handled?

Foreign nationals within US territorial jurisdiction or on the high seas who request asylum or temporary refuge are given a full opportunity to have their request considered on its merits. (paragraph 1)

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