Partnership of the Americas (POA) Task Group 40.0 conducted Passing Exercises 21 with the Spanish Frigate Santa Maria (F 81) while underway during POA 2007. The PASSEX contributed to improved working relationships between the two navies and served as a foundation for increasing responsiveness and promoting regional security initiatives. Operations Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Miluska Salazar, watchstander, had a brief conversation with a Spanish sailor from the Santa Maria while the ships were close together. “It was very exciting because he was waving at his friends and telling me about life on his ship while we conducted the PASSEX,” said Salazar.