In 2008, the RHLI sent their largest single contingent of soldiers overseas into a combat zone since World War 2. 12 Rileys put on their desert-pattern camouflage and gave up a year of their time to serve their country actively. Their destination was Afghanistan, primarily the volatile area in and surrounding Kandahar. The group included, amazingly, two RHLI Lieutenant-Colonels – Lieutenant-Colonel Guy Smith, the commanding officer of the RHLI at the time, and Lieutenant-Colonel Sean McKee, who was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel part way through his tour & succeeded LCol Smith as commanding officer. Several junior officers formed part of the contingent.

Other soldiers filled in positions with the battle group centred around the Third Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment; with the POMLT (Police Operational Mentor Liaison Team; with CIMIC – the Civil-Military Co-operation team; with the National Support Element (NSE) - and more. Many came under and returned fire, some many times. We were extremely fortunate to avoid casualties.

The group returned safely to join the growing ranks of the RHLI with present-day combat experience, supplemented with Rileys who have gained valuable operational but non-combat experience in Kenya, Sierra Leone and most lately, Haiti. They make today’s regiment, including the officer corps, vastly skilled, combat-wise and trained, and able to pass their knowledge and abilities on to the next generation of Riley soldiers as Rileys have always done.