Grayden Ridd is an avid, globe-trotting student of conflict, history, and international affairs.  Joining Combat Films and Research fairly early in its existence, he’s been heavily involved in the research, analysis, and content-generating aspects of CFR’s operations—eventually assuming a roll as an in-house authority on weapon systems, capabilities, and military errata.  In Afghanistan, Mr. Ridd accompanied Canadian forces operating from Kandahar Air Base and was in the Shah-I Khot valley to witness the latter phases of Operation Anaconda.  He later traveled overland to Bamiyan, Afghanistan, as one of the very first Western journalists to visit the Hazara homeland following the fall of the Taliban.  Beginning in late 2002, Mr. Ridd began working and training with the Rakkasans of the 1/187th infantry of the 101st Airborne Division, eventually deploying with them to Kuwait, the invasion of Iraq, and the occupation of Baghdad.

During his time at Combat Films and Research, Mr. Ridd has had his written and photographic work featured in magazines like Jane’s Intelligence Review and Journal of Electronic Defense, and has contributed by way of research and analysis to dozens more.  In 2006, Mr. Ridd graduated from Georgetown University’s prestigious Law Center with a Juris Doctorate degree and a certificate in Refugee and Humanitarian Emergencies, having written his seminar paper on the unchecked proliferation of light antitank weapons as an obstacle to U.S. national security goals. 

Mr. Ridd’s resume includes significant travel to five continents, whether for work, study, or adventure tourism.  This itinerary includes several months he spent performing political analyses and evaluating UN peacekeeping missions for ACCORD South Africa; participating in humanitarian disaster-relief efforts in the wake of record-breaking floods in Mozambique; and several months as a student living in East Jerusalem.  In addition to his native English, Mr. Ridd speaks Portuguese and Spanish.