This subpart governs Air Force actions in investigating, processing, and settling claims under the International Agreement Claims Act.

The following are general definitions. See the relevant international agreement for the specific meaning of a term to use with a specific claim.

(a) Civilian component. Civilian personnel accompanying and employed by an international agreement contracting force. Local employees, contractor employees, or members of the American Red Cross are not a part of the civilian component unless specifically included in the agreement.

(b) Contracting party. A nation signing the governing agreement.

(c) Force. Personnel belonging to the land, sea, or air armed services of one contracting party when in the territory of another contracting party in connection with their official duties.

(d) Legally responsible. A term of art providing for settlement of claims under cost sharing international agreements in accordance with the law of the receiving state. Often, employees who are local inhabitants, not part of the civilian component of the force, could cause the sending state to be legally responsible under a respondeat superior theory.

(e) Receiving state. The country where the force or civilian component of another contracting party is temporarily located. It is often thought of as the “host nation.”

(f) Sending state. The country sending the force or civilian component to the receiving State. In cases where U.S. personnel are stationed in a foreign country, the U.S. is the sending state.

(g) Third parties. A term of art used in International Agreements. Parties other than members of the force and civilian component of the sending or receiving States. Dependents, tourists, and other noninhabitants of a foreign country are third parties (and therefore can generally make a claim under a SOFA) unless the international agreement, or an understanding between the countries involved, specifically excludes them.

(a) Overseas settlement authority. Staff Judge Advocates of the Air Force component commands of the U.S. geographic combatant commands will, within their combatant command AORs, fulfill U.S. obligations concerning claims abroad subject to 10 U.S.C. 2734a for which the Air Force has settlement authority. Consistent with 10 U.S.C. 2734a and the international agreement, they may reimburse or pay the pro rata share of a claim as agreed, or if inconsistent with the IACA or the international agreement, they may object to a bill presented,

(b) Settlement authority. The Secretary of the Air Force, The Judge Advocate General, the Deputy Judge Advocate General, The Director of Civil Law and Chief of the Claims and Tort Litigation Division may also exercise settlement authority under 10 U.S.C. 2734a.

(c) Redelegation of authority. A settlement authority may redelegate his or her authority to a subordinate judge advocate or civilian attorney in writing.

(d) Authority to reduce, withdraw, and restore settlement authority. Any superior settlement authority may reduce, withdraw, or restore delegated authority.

(a) Claims arising in a foreign country. (1) If a third party claimant tries to file an international agreement claim with Air Force, direct that person to the appropriate receiving State office.

(2) If the Air Force receives a claim, send it to the U.S. sending State office for delivery to the receiving State.

(b) Claims arising in the United States. The claimant files tort claims arising from the act or omission of military or civilian personnel of another contracting party at any U.S. military installation. The Staff Judge Advocate for the installation where such military or civilian personnel is assigned or attached will promptly notify the Foreign Claims Branch of USAF/JACC as well as the Commander, U.S. Army Claims Service. If the claimant files said claim at an installation other than the location where said military or civilian personnel is assigned, the Staff Judge Advocate for that installation will promptly forward the claim to the appropriate installation Staff Judge Advocate.