Movie
Description
Greg Gates is a Danish mercenary pilot stationed at the remote desert airbase Area 88 in the fictional Middle Eastern kingdom of Aslan (or Asran). His background includes prior service as a Danish Air Force pilot and a former NATO instructor. Dishonorably discharged from the Danish Air Force alongside Bugsy Malone, Greg subsequently ran a covert "air taxi" service smuggling Eastern Bloc defectors across the Baltic Sea. This operation ended violently when he killed a Soviet agent during a failed extraction, forcing his flight to Aslan and enlistment in Area 88's mercenary forces to escape Soviet retaliation.
Greg is defined by exceptional durability and an apparently apathetic or oblivious attitude toward danger. This earned him the reputation among fellow mercenaries as "the only person who couldn't die." The trait frequently serves as comedic relief, as his actions often inadvertently escalate conflicts or create complications for comrades and commanders. Despite this role, he is recognized as a highly skilled pilot, particularly excelling in ground-attack missions. His flying style emphasizes resilience and adaptability, often utilizing older or less conventional aircraft.
Throughout his service at Area 88, Greg primarily flies ground-attack aircraft. He pilots an A-10 Thunderbolt II, known for its heavy armor and cannon, in the OVA adaptation, and an A-4 Skyhawk in the 2004 television series. He consistently ranks among the base's top pilots, typically regarded as the "number three" ace after Shin Kazama and Mickey Simon. His aircraft often bear distinctive personal markings, like a skull emblem on the vertical tail.
Greg maintains close friendships with fellow pilots Bugsy Malone, Hoover "The Steel Ace" Kippenburg, "Iron Hand" Campbell, and Carlyle Benditz, whom he joined alongside at Area 88. He participates in key events, including intervening to protect Shin Kazama from escapee killers during Shin's defection attempt. His survival instincts are evident during crises, such as the locust swarm incident that grounded jet aircraft; while not central to the resolution, the event highlighted the base's reliance on diverse pilot capabilities.
Across all adaptations—manga, OVA, and television series—Greg remains a consistent presence. His narrative role balances comic relief with demonstrated combat proficiency. His backstory as a fugitive from Soviet vengeance adds depth to his mercenary motives. Although his assigned aircraft vary between adaptations, his persona as a durable, easygoing pilot whose actions unintentionally influence the war's course remains unchanged.
Greg is defined by exceptional durability and an apparently apathetic or oblivious attitude toward danger. This earned him the reputation among fellow mercenaries as "the only person who couldn't die." The trait frequently serves as comedic relief, as his actions often inadvertently escalate conflicts or create complications for comrades and commanders. Despite this role, he is recognized as a highly skilled pilot, particularly excelling in ground-attack missions. His flying style emphasizes resilience and adaptability, often utilizing older or less conventional aircraft.
Throughout his service at Area 88, Greg primarily flies ground-attack aircraft. He pilots an A-10 Thunderbolt II, known for its heavy armor and cannon, in the OVA adaptation, and an A-4 Skyhawk in the 2004 television series. He consistently ranks among the base's top pilots, typically regarded as the "number three" ace after Shin Kazama and Mickey Simon. His aircraft often bear distinctive personal markings, like a skull emblem on the vertical tail.
Greg maintains close friendships with fellow pilots Bugsy Malone, Hoover "The Steel Ace" Kippenburg, "Iron Hand" Campbell, and Carlyle Benditz, whom he joined alongside at Area 88. He participates in key events, including intervening to protect Shin Kazama from escapee killers during Shin's defection attempt. His survival instincts are evident during crises, such as the locust swarm incident that grounded jet aircraft; while not central to the resolution, the event highlighted the base's reliance on diverse pilot capabilities.
Across all adaptations—manga, OVA, and television series—Greg remains a consistent presence. His narrative role balances comic relief with demonstrated combat proficiency. His backstory as a fugitive from Soviet vengeance adds depth to his mercenary motives. Although his assigned aircraft vary between adaptations, his persona as a durable, easygoing pilot whose actions unintentionally influence the war's course remains unchanged.