George “Black” Melissovas: The Experiences of an Apache Helicopter Pilot

It is the spring of 2017 and in Stefanovikio Magnesia, the sound of two powerful 1890 horsepower engines of an AH-64DHA Apache attack helicopter “disappears” into the dusk. A black “flying tank” has completed a flight and is being driven towards the unit’s hangar. Shortly before, an officer who has written his own “golden pages” of aviation history has descended from this helicopter.

THE retired no longer an operator George “Black” Melissovas he will place the special electronic night-vision monocle in place, as well as the helmet with the distinctive tiger pattern that has always made him stand out, at the designated spot, and take one last “sneak” look at his Apache, as the experienced technicians of the Air Force are taking care of it for the next flight. “Until next time…”, she will coo, smiling.

“It is a love and it remains a love. Without passion nothing gets done. It is a unique experience. I don’t think I’ll ever get over this deprivation of flying the Apache, especially at night…“, tells the radio station of APE-MBE “Agency 104.9 FM” the experienced Greek Army Air Force pilotwhich today celebrates its patron, the Prophet Elias.

To the first of the first in an era of “revolution” for the Armed Forces

From the helicopter pilots who were the first to get their hands on these new flying “tanks” in the 90s, George “Black” Melissovas quickly developed into an instructor pilot for this weapon. In 1988, from the Army Aviation School will come the first transfer as a UH-1H helicopter operator in Megara until 1995. Then, the Greek pilot, together with 30 other operators, will be among the first Greeks to go to the USA, “at Fort Rucker in Alabama for training, for basic school at Apache the A+ model, the original model we got in Greece».

In the same year he will be in the 1st Attack Helicopter Battalion, while in 1997 he will leave again for the USA, from where he will return as a flight instructor in the AH-64A+ Apache. There, he served until 2007, when he left for the US again to attend basic school, as well as the training school for the new AH-64DHA Apache helicopters. “Then I found myself again, in 2009, in Megara. I stayed there until 2012, when we returned with the specific helicopters to Volos. From then until 2017, when I left the service, I operated the AH-64DHA Apache attack helicopters,” he explains.

Few on the planet have completed such a career. “How much did I fly? A total of 22 years in the AH-64 Apache, first as an operator and then for 20 years as an instructor. With 2500 flight hours in this particular attack helicopter for a total of 4000+ flight hours. AH-64A+ 1200 flight hours and AH-64DHA Apache about 1300 – of which 1200 were night flight hours“, he explains.

Aviation History Days

The arrival of this particular type of helicopter in service in Greece also coincided with a critical period for the country. “The introduction of this helicopter into Greek service was a “revolution” and we entered “abruptly” into this process. We were called to swim in deep water then, all of us. The first boats arrived in 1995, in August, with delivery being completed around December 1995. Soon after, in January 1996, we had the Imia“, he recalls, stressing that the Greek pilots and technicians succeeded.

“A unit, to be ready, typically needs at least a year of training, field exercises, staying out, operating on islands, winter and summer, firing. We did all this very quickly, without any incident. The result, in fact, was that whatever exercise we went to – whether national, or in collaboration with the Americans, for example – everyone was excited about the level we reached”, says the experienced Greek pilot and notes that “what stands out perhaps one Greek pilot from others is that when something concerns our defense, our homeland, we do it well».

Ready for war, with the Greek soul working overtime, the “Apache Indians” of Greece gave everything. “You can imagine 30 pilots with very little flying experience in the Apache—several of us had experience in the UH-1H type—that we had to do something quickly to learn the craft, to get ready quickly. This was a very difficult thing, but I think we did a very good job at the time and were thus in those days generally at a good level“, he explains.

Trainer to the new guy

After Greece’s decision to invest in the advanced version of the helicopter, George Melissovas also moved into the new era. “In the transition from the AH-64A+ to the AH-64DHA Apache, the differences are in the electronics. The boat itself has no big differences, but compared to the Greek A+, an AH-64DHA is clearly more… “muscular”. It carries – you see – many black boxes for electronics, computers, etc. but also the radar that stands out in the center of the rotor. The big difference is made by the optical systems, since in an A+ you “see” the night with a resolution of 100 lines, while in the Delta this resolution is quadrupled, so at night it’s like flying during the day. It’s something unique!”, he explains.

“The AH-64DHA also gives you the ability to manage the battlefield. There is a link option and you can directly send, for example, target information to other helicopters, divide areas and involve many targets at the same time. When we started accepting the new model, it took us a year or so to pass evaluation and we did great“, notes the experienced helicopter pilot.

On the other hand, as he explains, each type has some common characteristics, which remain unforgettable. “It’s great to fly this helicopter, the feeling is unique! Overall, the Apache brought a huge difference to the world of helicopters, especially attack helicopters. Its ability to combine so many weapon systems such as missiles, rockets, a 30mm cannon, and to fly at night in adverse conditions made it dominant on the battlefield“, he emphasizes.

Man and machine become one

It is a machine that has many demands on the person who operates it. “This Apache made a big difference compared to the older helicopters by putting in the pilot’s eye the system called “Helmet display unit”, the “monocle” image system that is connected to the sensors in his nose, the helicopter. This provides an infrared image at night and flight information, which means that as a pilot I fly without even looking at my instruments. Speed, altitude, attitude, craft, course, weapon systems messages, the pilot has it all in his eye, along with the infrared image at night. It’s something difficult at first, but a challenge as you learn it. A unique experience…“, explains the – now retired – pilot of the flying “Indian” with propellers.

“Each flight is demanding, therefore, and needs very good rest, coordination. We have the… “controversy” of the two eyes. On the one hand, we assist one eye with all the above elements, and on the other, the unaided eye at night sees e.g. the instruments and any lights, shadows from the external environment: absolute cooperation of the crew is necessary“, he adds.

The best moments he has experienced were the speed “dance” a breath away from the trees. “I have always loved, loved and love low flying. It’s something that excites me, and I would say more during the day, where you have more room to maneuver, see better, avoid obstacles, cables. And to always “come out” suddenly and make my shots. This …surprise!“, describes the Greek ace who does not fail to emphasize how important the events of the public were for him and his colleagues, when these helicopters made their public appearances.

“The Apaches, of course, left and still leave a heavy mark on Air Shows. From 2005 and the first big “Archangel” to the newest “Athens Flying Week”. At these shows, people also loved these helicopters!“, notes the Greek pilot with nostalgia.

Night flight with a Greek AH-64 Apache attack helicopter

For ‘Black’, as for any of his colleagues, every flight had to be carefully planned. “A flight always starts from briefing. In the briefing we will be informed about what we are doing, where we are going, what our goals are, how we will fly, how we will “hit” and how we will return. Then, before a flight there is a specific procedure. Once you get to the helicopter you start with the controls of the boat, the optical systems, the weapons systems”, he describes and adds: “From there, we go to the take-off, the transition route – we always talk about two helicopters, the Apaches always fly in pairs at least so that there is coverage. We will then arrive at the starting point and enter an operational flight profile, split up, always setting the position of the other, our wingman“, explains the experienced pilot.

Then comes the mission: “The most beautiful part of a flight is the low flight. Having two powerful engines, a four-bladed rotor, a helicopter with a low acoustic and thermal footprint allows us to get low and follow the terrain and reach the launch point of the missiles and rockets. This way the co-pilot and gunner who is in the forward position will be able to virtually engage the targets, neutralize them, the recording will be done and from there on we will continue our return back to the base».

The most beautiful moments, he explains, are the most demanding. ““Sliding” through the ravines and the relief is something magical… It is something that of course requires very good training, while we will always choose the most correct and safe height depending on the training. An older pilot may go lower because for a while he will perhaps “challenge” his operator ego, but always all these flights will be done safely, without danger to the aircraft and crew“, he describes and gives us his favorite flying spots.

“I love flying north and northeast, flying to Evros, as well as our islands. A dream now that I am not an active pilot. Even for half an hour to go up again…“, he confesses, with the feeling of lack flooding him.

What separates the good from the top Apache pilot?

“Everyone who flies Apaches is a good pilot. What changes is the level of experience: it also takes a bit of madness to throw it. In general, always in the exercises, especially where there is the stress of the missile going to the target, we made an impression. Either with our flying characteristics, or with the accuracy of our shots. To see two Apaches engage four targets in less than a minute with missiles and turn to rockets and cannon is impressive, and it sends a message to anyone who thinks they can “play” with us..”, concludes the legendary operator of the Greek AH-64 Apache attack helicopters.

RES-EMP

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