ADAZI MILITARY BASE, Latvia - U.K.'s Royal Marine Commandos rush out of the CH-47 Chinook in a session of cold load training, helicopter pads, Adazi, June 2. Cold load training is the practice of entering or exiting the aircraft while the aircraft i...

ADAZI MILITARY BASE, Latvia - U.S. Army Sgt. Trevor Robinson, flight engineer with 2nd flight platoon, Bravo Company, 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New...

ADAZI MILITARY BASE, Latvia - U.K.'s Royal Marines break the circle and dash for the U.S. Black Hawk in hot load training, at a helicopter pad, Adazi, June 2. Hot load training allows passengers to enter/exit the aircraft while blades are in operati...

ADAZI MILITARY BASE, Latvia - U.K. Royal Marines pull security while a U.S. Army Black Hawk, from 10th Combat Aviation Brigade currently based in Lielvarde, departs after unloading the nine Royal Marines in hot load training, Adazi, June 2. Hot loa...

ADAZI MILITARY BASE, Latvia - U.S. Soldiers from 10th Combat Aviation Brigade based out of Lielvarde provided a CH-47 Chinook and Black Hawk helicopter for hot/cold load training to approximately 100 U.K.'s British Royal Marines at helicopter pads on Adazi Military Base, June 2.

The training was preparation for an upcoming event during Saber Strike 17 that will include the quick uploading and offloading of personnel. Saber Strike is a U.S. Army Europe-led multinational combined forces training exercise in the Baltic region. The exercise tests the capability of multiple nations to act against a threat.

Cold load training is the practice of entering or exiting the aircraft while the aircraft is not operational. Hot load training is entering or exiting the aircraft while the aircraft is operational.

The purpose of the exercise was to support the Royal Marines in their training, said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Douglas Patterson, Blackhawk pilot and company safety officer, Alpha Company, 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York.

Training began with familiarizing the British Royal Marines with simple aircraft features for emergency purposes. The brief transitioned to hands-on-training providing the Royal Marines an opportunity to conduct passenger aircraft load procedures.

Within the CH-47, U.S. crew members flashed countdown hand signals to alert Royal Marines of the approaching landing and the subsequent exit of the aircraft. For the exit, the Royal Marines maneuvered out of the aircraft, into defense positions to pull security for the departing aircraft.

Training for the Blackhawk and Chinook occurred simultaneously, with groups performing three iterations before rotating or concluding the cold load training.

Transitioning into hot load training, the 10th CAB crew flew to multiple locations, uploading and offloading personnel.

"They (training exercises) create a good discussion and a good battle rhythm and synchronization with our partners and Allies," Chief Warrant Officer Patterson said.

Saber Strike 2017 - Hot Load Training