160316-N-QA919-018 ARCTIC CIRCLE (March 15, 2016) A sheet of ice, known as an ice floe, serves as the stage of operations for Ice Exercise (ICEX) 2016. Temperatures range an average of -10 to -40 degrees fahrenheit. ICEX 2016 is a five-week exercise designed to research, test, and evaluate operational capabilities in the region. ICEX 2016 allows the U.S. Navy to assess operational readiness in the Arctic, increase experience in the region, advance understanding of the Arctic Environment, and develop partnerships and collaborative efforts. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tyler Thompson)