Are you serious?
One thing that I have noticed with Approach is that there are a lot more articles with safety tips and the latest 'risk mitigation strategies' than there used to be. When I first got in it was mostly first-hand stories, quite a bit less now. I am not sure if it is good or not, a bit more boring though.
I really liked reading the older “Approach” issues. I liked reading them so much I subscribed to the magazine when I got discharged. I’ve saved most of the issues over the years. I really liked the older first hand stories like you did, they were well written and humorous for the most part.
I really enjoyed “Brownshoes in Action Comix,” “Grandpaw Pettibone” the Hank Caruso illustrations and the “Anymouse” letters. The “Anymouse” heading was spelled wrong in the magazine on purpose; I believe because someone had written an anonymous letter to be published and signed it “Anymouse.” The editor at the time decided to use that misspelled heading for that section of the magazine from then on for letters sent to the editor. Anyway, that’s what I’d heard. “Hey Joe” should chime in here and verify this.
Speaking of “Hey Joe!” I have before me a copy of the June 1989 issue of “Approach.” On page 29 there’s a picture of him sporting a “Zumwalt Navy” haircut and mustache. Anyway, he was awarded The Grandpaw Pettibone Award for the year. Seems as though during his three years at “Approach” and because of the material that was published while he was editor, led to the lowest mishap rate EVER in Naval Aviation at the time.
I know I’m getting old… But by God bring back the Navy I knew. You youngsters well, you have no idea how much fun we had while we got the job done!
Steve