How is the success of personnel recovery typically measured?

The success of personnel recovery is primarily measured by the effectiveness and timeliness of the recovery operation. This means evaluating how well and how quickly personnel can be located, secured, and returned to safety during emergencies or crises. Effectiveness refers to how successfully the operation meets its objectives, such as reaching the personnel in distress and ensuring their safety. Timeliness is critical because delays can put lives at greater risk and impact mission success. Therefore, a successful recovery operation is one that combines both promptness and proficiency, highlighting the importance of planning, coordination, and execution in personnel recovery scenarios.

In contrast, while the number of personnel involved, the amount of training received, and accessibility of communication tools play roles in the overall operational capability, they do not directly measure the success of the recovery effort itself. These factors can contribute to a successful operation but are not definitive indicators on their own.