"Many people ask why I defected to the side I fought against for three wars. It is because when I joined, I swore an oath to the gods of Olympus to defend the rights of the fellow man. It is my sacred honor to keep up that promise."

Sex: Male
Relations: John Riga (father), Maria Riga (mother), Phyllis Riga (sister)
Age (as of time of writing): 47
Aerial Victories: 49
Rank: Lieutenant
Allegiance: League of Olympia (defected), Pilotmario Republic (current)
Aircraft flown: Athena Fighter, Hermes Fighter, Helios Fighter Model 1, B40 Stingray, Pummeler Fighter Mk II Navy, Pummeler Attack Mk III, Dart Interceptor Mk II.

Cleo Riga was born in the year 124 to a poor family of eight in Athens. His father worked at a foundry, and his mother worked as a seamstress. In his youth, he took an interest in aircraft, as he worked long hours at the local airfield. Seeking a way out of the slums, he joined the Olympian Air Force at the age of sixteen.

There, he worked as an aircraft mechanic for two years before he finally managed to convince his superiors to receive pilot training. From the first day, his superiors realized his potential, and worked to develop it further. Practicing his aerial combat routines, he soon became proficient at the Athena Fighter.

He participated in the First Invasion of Sanctum, where he scored his first three victories. Soon, he would be thrust against the might of the Pilotmario Air Force, an opponent which he would be acquainted with. His fighter unit was powerless to stop General Armstrong Victor's Combined Air Offensive, as they were regularly outnumbered by the Pilotmario Air Force. Still, he managed to score twelve aerial victories, mostly against Provider transports modified as heavy bombers.

He would be grounded during the initial stages of the Second Olympian War, due to the discovery of an affair he had with his sister. They shared a very close relationship between each other, and as a result of the investigation, was grounded.

However, this would not remain; it was found the rumors were untrue and politically-motivated. He was a supporter of the anti-war Cult of Irene. However, they lost their support in the Council to the pro-war 300 Party, led by former Spartan veterans, who vowed to restore Olympia as a power. He was returned to service in the Athena Fighter. His flight time was short-lived; the Athena was desperately outmatched against jet aircraft such as the Hawk. Despite the odds, he was able to shoot down a Hawk, when he lured the pilot into a low-altitude turnfight, where his aircraft had the advantage.

His unit was soon given Hermes Fighters, and the tables were turned against the Hawks. The Hawk was badly outmatched by the Hermes, and were barely able to maintain any advantage due to their superior dive performance and longer-ranged missiles. At the end of the conflict, his tally stood at 33.

During the Third Olympian War, his unit faced newer Pilotmarian types such as the Renegade and the Dart, which completely outclassed the Hermes. Losses mounted, and morale plummeted. Still he managed to score a further eight aircraft, bringing his tally to 41.

When the War of Three Nations began, he participated in the initial stages of the campaign in an IJU B40 Stingray fighter-bomber, leading the attack against HR Incorporated and later, the Pilotmario Republic. He later took part in the testing of the Helios Fighter Model 1, and gave his input during its development.

His faith changed when an IJ United airstrike accidentally struck an Olympian Army position, which the Olympian Council blamed the Army for putting its soldiers there. Never liking IJ United, he feels the Olympians have been corrupted by greed, and no longer look after their own people. Because of this, he decided to defect with his sister Phyllis. By now, he had 45 aerial victories against HR Incorporated aircraft.

Stealing a Hermes fighter, they managed to evade air defenses long enough to reach Pilotmario Air Force lines. He stated his intent to defect, and was allowed to land. After a brief interrogation, he was inducted into the Pilotmario Air Force, retaining his rank. He decided to provide critical information about the Olympian and IJ United forces, as well as the presence of the Helios Fighter. He then worked with the Pilotmario Air Force to develop aircraft and tactics to counter the fighter, and was the first pilot to shoot down the Helios Fighter.

The news of his defection has been met with great controversy. While many were unhappy about the response to the IJ United airstrike and sympathized with him, others condemned his defection, leaking classified information to the enemy and putting fellow Olympians in danger as a result. In the ranks of the Pilotmario Air Force, he is viewed as a deadly opponent, and one of the most skilled flyers.