Whenurhappy
No, you did not make yourself clear in post 45.
Speaking solely about Fast Jet flying, my contention is still that Cold War flying was VERY MUCH more dangerous than current peacetime or operational flying.
Once again I pose the question: How many Fast Jet aircrew have been killed on operations since GW1?
Compare your answer to the scores of aircrew killed during the “peacetime” Cold War flying. This is not about medals, it’s about the risk to your pink body every time you climbed into your aircraft.
One of the reasons Cold War Fast Jet flying was so hazardous was because risks had to be taken to get the job done with some of the crummy equipment we had. For example, how many aircrew today continue on task in peace or war with no HUD or no radio? We were having to do that in the Falklands war and it was SOP in peacetime training. I’m not saying that’s good or bad, it’s just a fact.
As an example, if you had ever observed a Harrier Field site operating under TACEVAL conditions then you might have some idea of what I’m talking about.