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?
But how much of the perceived reduced risk in current days is down to improved practices, a better understanding of risk management, mitigation and exploitation and a reduction in the political appetite for any loss at all rather than a change in the level of danger?
Although a 70s child, so very much a nipper during some of the frostiest days of the Cold War, I am guessing that if the balloon had gone up, many sorties would have been one way. In which case, it makes it very difficult to do a side by side comparison with today where a one way sortie would be political suicide for any politician that authorised it.