Kiro-Burgoignesc relations

Island relations
Trade and ecological cooperation between Kiravia and the Burgoignesc isles of Nauta Normand and Wintergen, is the result of the harsh realities of their northern climes.

At the heart of this relationship lies the historical juncture where the Burgoignesc islands grappled with the challenge of meeting their energy needs without compromising their extensive tree plantations. Kiravia, by proximity, emerged as a key ally, providing peat as a reliable fuel source, despite the fact that the metropoles were often in conflict. This, in the minds of the Kiravians exemplified the concept of Brother Auggie. For over a century, peat stood as the primary energy source in Nauta Normand and Wintergen. Its efficient burn and consistent warmth made it the cornerstone of heating systems, despite geopolitical tensions. The pragmatic need for this indispensable resource fostered an enduring trade relationship, transcending political divides between the locals and the Kiravians with whom they dealt.

As the trade expanded, so did its scope with the introduction of sphagnum moss. In more recent years, Kiravia's ecological reclamation efforts developed a massive economy around the moss byproduct. Nauta Normand and Wintergen eagerly incorporated dried sphagnum to nurture their tree plantations, creating an ecological cycle of restoration.

Beyond economics, the trade shaped the cultures of both nations, influencing lifestyles and fostering a shared appreciation for the environments they endured. The reliance on Kiravian peat and sphagnum moss became integral to life in the Burgoignesc isles of Nauta Normand and Wintergen.

Throughout history, this trade relationship weathered geopolitical storms. However, as energy landscapes evolved, so did the dynamics of this cooperation. In Wintergen, since 1975, nuclear power replaced peat as the primary energy production method for heat and electricity. Meanwhile, Nauta Normand embraced tidal power starting in 2017, signaling a shift toward renewable energy sources. As the Burgoignesc isles embrace renewables, the trade between Kiravia and these islands enters a new chapter, as yet unwritten.

Joint Training Exercise, Operation Snowblind
First held October-December 2032, Joint Training Exercise, Operation Snowblind was a joint Kiro-Burgoignesc military exercise to teach each other analog skills for. This was to simulate both typical polar duties and also post-nuclear detonation response on a degraded tech/comms environment.

In 2033, it was hosted by Burgundie in Argaea but the exercise commenced well in advance of the participating units arrival. Polar elements of the Kiravian Army boarded ships and made their way to Equatorial Ostiecia and Sarolasta to pick up tropical troops from both the Kiravian Army and the Army of Burgundie. During the remainder of the transit the polar Kiravian troops prepared and trained the tropical troops on Polar survival. Exercise evaluators were onboard to take notes and prepare an after action report. The ships crossed the open expanse of the Ocean fo Cathay, stopping over in Hadua, to take on final supplies staged by the DoDWJA. Upon final arrival in Argaea, the ships practiced docking without ship-to-shore communications. The troops disembarked and after establishing camp they were immediately under fire from elements of the Australis Dog Sled Patrol who ran OPFOR for the exercise.

After a brief skirmish the Australis Dog Sled Patrol joined the exercise players for a two week series of courses and lectures taught both by them and the Kiravian polar units. After the 2 week didactic, the units were sent on a two night recce and bivouac exercise to practice the skills they had learned. Each Platoon had a Kiravian and Burgoignesc polar soldier, 4 evaluators (one for each squad and one specifically for the Lieutenant commanding the platoon) and two cold-weather rated medics. After the two nights out there was a week and a half of rest, lots of medical recuperation, and hot washes. Then a three week intensive on. After the intensive the players went on a week long patrol through "hostile" territory. Each platoon engaged with the Australis Dog Sled Patrol no less then 3 times, some as high as once a day during the patrol. Following this there was a two week recuperation period with remedial training on all skills not performed well during the patrol.

The final element of the exercise was a two week long patrol to an exfiltration point (the ships to take them home). It was a grueling trial putting all of there skills to the test.

While there were some serious injuries from hyperthermia and minor cases of frostbite, the exercise was a great success and the analog skills abilities of the participating units increased as expected. The ability of tropical troops to be quickly infiltrated into a polar/post-nuclear detonation environment and conduct also met expectations, but the amount of time and prep work that was needed was noted as an area of focus for future combat readiness planning.