CAP Talk

Average it out, I'm curious what the numbers look like.

Could you clarify:  peak missions ever, or missions in the last calendar year?

I think my peak was 1989 or 1990, with two actual DR hurricane/TS missions, three missing aircraft and about 35 or so ELT missions, (FLWG was averaging something like 175 - 200 actuals a year, in those pre TSOc91(a) days).

These days, we predictably fell off the cliff about five years ago, so the stats will look far different, I would wager. Therefore, could you clarify what time frame you're asking about?

V/r
Spam

I really don't have a clue. I never tally them up.  Most are SAREX/OrideDays/Training/Etc.  As far as actual "A" missions for actual events, I'll wild guess maybe 10 in 5 years, for an average of two a year. The first couple years more, and the last three years declining.

Quote from: Spam on August 05, 2020, 09:30:11 PMCould you clarify:  peak missions ever, or missions in the last calendar year?

I think my peak was 1989 or 1990, with two actual DR hurricane/TS missions, three missing aircraft and about 35 or so ELT missions, (FLWG was averaging something like 175 - 200 actuals a year, in those pre TSOc91(a) days).

These days, we predictably fell off the cliff about five years ago, so the stats will look far different, I would wager. Therefore, could you clarify what time frame you're asking about?

V/r
Spam

I'm looking for data over the past 3 years, older than that becomes less relevant to now.

Holding Pattern,
You might want to exclude things like Green Flag or the escort missions.  Those of us who have been involved in GF for example, might do 10 of those missions alone per year.

Quote from: Holding Pattern on August 06, 2020, 04:13:00 AM

Quote from: Spam on August 05, 2020, 09:30:11 PMCould you clarify:  peak missions ever, or missions in the last calendar year?

I think my peak was 1989 or 1990, with two actual DR hurricane/TS missions, three missing aircraft and about 35 or so ELT missions, (FLWG was averaging something like 175 - 200 actuals a year, in those pre TSOc91(a) days).

These days, we predictably fell off the cliff about five years ago, so the stats will look far different, I would wager. Therefore, could you clarify what time frame you're asking about?

V/r
Spam

I'm looking for data over the past 3 years, older than that becomes less relevant to now.

OK, then you'll want to ignore my vote, which was one of the top bracket ones, which (prior to your clarification) was averaged out since the early 80s.

V/r
Spam

Are you including the Covid-19 response missions?

Quote from: BJD on August 07, 2020, 03:59:26 PMAre you including the Covid-19 response missions?

yes.

You might want to gather the data on:

- What does the overall participation rate look like across members
- What does the participation rate look like across those currently qualified
- What does the participation rate look like across those who received a qualification at any time (and may or may not be currently qualified)

The comparative analysis across those will probably give a different story.

For example: I don't have any ES qualifications. I marked myself as a 0-time mission participant.

Also, the numbers on CAPTalk are going to vastly be disassociated with the actual numbers of participants in the CAP membership pool. CAPTalk is not reflective of actual CAP operations since it's such a small sampling of members' participation, experiences, and opinions.

Short version:
This is a terrible place to gather statistics.

Quote from: TheSkyHornet on August 07, 2020, 04:37:02 PMYou might want to gather the data on:

- What does the overall participation rate look like across members
- What does the participation rate look like across those currently qualified
- What does the participation rate look like across those who received a qualification at any time (and may or may not be currently qualified)

The comparative analysis across those will probably give a different story.

For example: I don't have any ES qualifications. I marked myself as a 0-time mission participant.

Also, the numbers on CAPTalk are going to vastly be disassociated with the actual numbers of participants in the CAP membership pool. CAPTalk is not reflective of actual CAP operations since it's such a small sampling of members' participation, experiences, and opinions.

Short version:
This is a terrible place to gather statistics.

If I wanted perfect data I'd be hammering WMIRS and e-Services reports. But technically that information is restricted in terms of sharing publicly vs just having a conversation about missions on captalk.

Only one this year, but it's a state COVID support mission, it's been going on since April, and I've worked harder on this than any one mission ever before. I should be digging through dozens of ground sorties and cross-checking receipts instead of reading CAP Talk right now.

Live SAR missions are few and far between. I was involved in about 1 homeland security mission per month for a couple of years, but I'm not in that role at present. 

I've been in my current Wing exactly two years this month and have been on three missions (ELT). There were at least two others that I was not available to respond.

Most people find it interesting to learn that that the height of mission activity for me was when I was in National Capital Wing (DCWG). I was there from 1992 to 2006 and probably averaged between 5 and 10 missions a year, and it seemed like we always got one "good one" each year.  By "good" I mean, more than just an "in and out" ELT mission. I recall spending as many as two weeks on a mission or two, one was a missing aircraft and the other was a missing child, both with well established mission bases and multiple agencies.

I grew up as a cadet in Florida Wing 1987 to 1991 and was there again 2006 to 2014. As a cadet, I remember having three missions in a 24 hour period once. Two ELTs, one at a Navy Base (SH-60 Sea Hawk) and another at local municipal airport just as we turned off the helicopter ELT. Next morning we got called for an EPIRB. But also, two missing/crashed aircraft, as well as a missing person or two.  That was as a cadet. As a senior in Florida, a few ELT/EPIRBs here and there, then a few hurricanes.

I have personally been on six missions in the last 18 months and a missed a good number because of work.