EX RILEY SPARTHA ~ November 19-21, 2011

Story by Capt Tim Fletcher, RHLI
Photos by 2Lt Jacek Wojcik, RHLI

While Southern Ontario was basking in temperatures well above normal, the soldiers of the RHLI headed up the Canadian Forces Training Area near Meaford, ON, near Owen Sound, the weekend of November 19-21, 2011. They were greeted by a coat of new-fallen snow but in usual Riley fashion, and equipped with superb cold-weather clothing, the soldiers just pulled their jackets a little tighter and carried on.

The weekend's program called for setting up a tented base camp and then aggressive patrolling, looking to find the enemy and fix their locations prior to attack. This is one of the most difficult of infantry operations, requiring stealth, navigation skills, superb leadership and ultimately, tough fighting skills. The RHLI are fortunate – with more than 60 soldiers having served now in Afghanistan, today's new soldiers are getting the benefit of their hard-won experience. They have learned in combat what works and what doesn't.

The weekend allowed soldiers to refresh common skills – setting up camp under less-than-ideal conditions, preparing food, staying warm, practicing tent routine. Fighting skills were honed as well on the long foot patrols, setting up observation points and ambushes and finally eliminating the enemy position.

It is regular training like this that keeps soldiers on top of their game, and the Rileys have it down to a fine art!