 He then took part in the Operation Mariner, Joint Anglo-American exercise which encountered very heavy seas over a two-week period in September that year and joined the International Affairs Division in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations under Admiral Robert Carney.Following the promotion to Rear admiral on August 1, 1955, Riley was appointed Commander, Carrier Division One and commanded this command during the patrol cruises in the Far East.He held that command until February 1958, when he assumed duty as chief of staff for United States Pacific Command, serving on Hawaii consecutively under Admiral Felix B. Stump and his successor, Admiral Harry D. Felt until May 1961.