New CAPF 104..... FINALLY!

[sdcapmx]

So little guidance and so close to implementation.  I just filled out two CAPF 104s in WMIRS and was not really impressed.  There should be more pull down boxes and CAPID lookup boxes for the aircrew.  Also for a simple relocation flight it seems like a lot of boxes to have to put NA in just like the old CAPF 104.  The form should recognize the relocation flight from WMIRS and put NA in all the boxes that do not pertain to that type of flight.  If needed one could change the NA to other pertinent info but most are not needed for that type of flight.  Also in WMIRS for the Observer/Scanner there should be a CAPID lookup option like there is for the pilot.

It is a work in progress and with some input hopefully we can improve upon the form.

[Gunner C]

It seems like a great plan untill all hell breaks loose with a major disaster, then there is no phone, internet...  What if your in Florida Wing near the panhandle and your too close to talk to the NOC Via HF.  What if its a lifesaving mission?  we have to wait to get on the net?  NHQ needs to get thier stuff together.   Its going to be fun when NHQ wont let IMU access WMIRS anymore...looks like we better break out the pens ans paperwork....oh wait  how do we do that again? So what good is an FRO and IC?...next step is the NOC is going to take over tactical control of all assets!

This is 100% correct.  Let's suppose that:

Best case with major disaster (We really don't train for this)

• Internet is down
• HF is up
• FM repeaters are down
• Cell phones are down

If HF is the only means of passing traffic, then the CAP frequencies will be JAMMED with traffic.  There's not that many freqs where you can have a tactical net AND a simultaneous administrative net, not to mention a liaison net with FEMA, 1st AF, or whomever we're operating for.

There's no voice message formats established to take the place of forms.  Does anyone remember how time consuming passing traffic by voice was?

Worst case with major disaster (A likelihood we probably should train for or at least address)

• Internet is down
• HF is down (likely under a couple of scenarios)
• FM repeaters are down
• Cell phones are down

Under this scenario, everything will need to be controlled locally, on paper.  Requests for outside assets from the NOC will need to be made by sat phone (if available).  There's no way that NHQ can control operations like this.

Flight releases, crew briefings, debriefings, ground team assignments, etc will all be done the old fashioned way.

[Fubar]

I ask because I don't know (so please be gentle).

Given the conditions listed by Gunner C, what are the chances that we would have aircraft and personnel operating out of that area? Wouldn't the mission base be located somewhere outside (or at least on the fringe) of the effected area where communications (phone/Internet), fuel, and lodging would be available?

[BK]

So little guidance and so close to implementation.  I just filled out two CAPF 104s in WMIRS and was not really impressed.  There should be more pull down boxes and CAPID lookup boxes for the aircrew.  Also for a simple relocation flight it seems like a lot of boxes to have to put NA in just like the old CAPF 104.  The form should recognize the relocation flight from WMIRS and put NA in all the boxes that do not pertain to that type of flight.  If needed one could change the NA to other pertinent info but most are not needed for that type of flight.  Also in WMIRS for the Observer/Scanner there should be a CAPID lookup option like there is for the pilot.

It is a work in progress and with some input hopefully we can improve upon the form.

Your request for CAPID lookup boxes is being added.  That was easy.

One thing to remember, entries on the automated 104 come from the sortie entry in WMIRS.  You can change anything on the automated 104 until the flight is released (a subject covered elsewhere).  Once released, the info on the 104 will be locked.  If you close out the sortie (flt time, fuel cost, sortie effectiveness, etc) in WMIRS before you complete the Debriefing portion of the 104, you will not be able to fill in the debriefing data.  Therefore, you need to fill in the Debriefing portion of the 104 first and that data will be pushed to the sortie screen, thereby closing the sortie.

The easiest sequence will be to:
1.  Create the sortie
2.  Complete the Briefing section of the 104
3.  Release the flight
4.  Go fly the sortie
5.  Upon sortie completion, Fill in the Debriefing section of the 104.  (Oh, BTW, the 104a will be added here to provide POD data).
6.  Close the sortie

Boy, this sounds just like the way you do it now with paper, huh?

[sdcapmx]

A few more caveats.  The mission name shows up blank on the E104 and you can't go in a type it in.  Still no CAP ID loo kup for observers and scanners in WMIRS, for cadet O flts the names of passengers don't transfer over from WMIRS,  it would be nice if there were a spot to enter each AC and equipment on board one time and have the CAPF 104 populate the equipment/TAS/ and color section automatically.  I may come up with more suggestions after our SAREX this coming weekend.