Last week, the U.S. Departments of State and War announced plans to step up and share information among international partners to combine diplomatic action with military coordination to implement Project Freedom. US contributions to the effort will include guided-missile destroyers, over 100 land and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms, and 15,000 service members.

ADM Brad Cooper is in charge of the show from our perspective. All he needs to do is sort out the paperwork on a few hundred large ships, permitting those not involved with cargoes laden to or from Iran while ensuing everyone can come and go as they please. You can see why Deirdre was committed to getting the oven-baked fried chicken recipe out to you, since it had high ratings in the WoodenBoat Spring Blocking the Blockade issue.

We have had dealings with the wooden crowd for many years, but there are developments that could affect your planning. ADM Cooper’s staff is aware that mines are attracted to steel, not wood. So, if you happen to be transiting the Straits of Hormuz or Malacca for something, A nice spruce sloop will get you where you intend to go.

Remember: Busy international waterways are optimized against ships of steel, not wood. And baking the chicken can reduce some of the the calories involved in a real fried treat. But either way, if you are going to manage an effective Blockade, Deirdre’s Oven Baked Fried Chicken will help get through the Blockade and keep things moving!

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