The balloons launch every 6 hours. You need about 5 FTEs for 24/z. I think this reduces the 5 FTEs to about 3, which makes the math much more reasonable. Basically, the 0600z launch is remotely monitored, day shift reloads the machines, so you need about 2 FTEs to get 7 day/week local coverage. plus some allowance for 3 shifts of remote monitoring and management.
Balloons launch every 12 hours. Not 6. Unless there's a request for a special release, which is rare in Alaska.
If a thing's worth doing, it is worth doing badly. -- G.K. Chesterton
