The Ministry of Defence News carries a rather nice article on Operation Cossack Steppe 2008, an exercise involving British. Polish and Ukrainian troops.

This year - which marks the centenary of the founding of the British territorial Army - 7 SCOTS (TA) was chosen as the participating detachment for the training deployment which took place at Nowa Deba - mid-way between the Polish city of Krakow and the Russian border. The Highlander worked along side elements of the Polish 25th Air Cavalry Brigade and the Ukrainian 79th Air Cavalry Brigade.

Caption: Left to right: Captain Kevin Mackay (7 SCOTS) Major Yriy Sidorenko (Ukrainian Army) Warrant Officer Jacek Janiak (Polish Army) and back Captain Arturas Gimzauskas (Lithuanian Army)
[Picture: Mark Owens, MOD] © Crown Copyright/MOD 2008

Links like these are often overlooked by the British press, which is a real shame, as while we in Britain mourn the loss of one of our troops in Afghanistan last Saturday, we should be aware that our Polish allies also lost three of their own soldiers to Taliban action this week.

In fact, part of the goal of Operation Cossack Steppe was to practise scenarios derived from the lessons learned in Afghanistan and Iraq. 

On a lighter note, I must admit to a wry smile at the comment made by Colour Sergeant Davy McMullan about the interest shown in the Scots by the Poles and Ukrainian troops:-

"Both the Poles and the Ukrainians really enjoyed the sound of the bagpipes when there has been time for a little R&R."

Related links:-

> MoD News Article: 'Highland reservists join Cossacks in Poland'
> Polish Ministry of Defence site (in English)
> Ministry of Defence of Ukraine (in English)
> 7 SCOTS - 51st Highlanders