C-130 Activated as California Battles Devastating Los Angeles Wildfires


Alert Line

Hi Everyone. Happy New Year. If you unsubscribe from the newsletter I am going to send you an email asking if you could please provide a sentence or two to outline why. This will be from me, not some automation or stupid survey tool. Likewise, If you have suggestions for how we can improve The SOFX Report, please send them right in: sam.havelock@sofx.com . Thanks Guys (95%) and Gals (<~5%).

Sam Havelock

CEO, SOFX

Are you a first time reader? Subscribe.




Non-Mainstream Reports
Unconfirmed Stories Trending Across Non-Traditional Channels

Russia Deploys First S-500 Air Defense Regiment, Enhancing Strategic Defense of the Kerch Bridge

Russia has deployed its first full regiment of the S-500 long-range air defense system. The announcement, made on December 18 by General Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff, highlighted the system's cutting-edge features and its deployment to protect the strategic Kerch Bridge. (Read More)


Hamas’ Sabra Battalion Leadership Targeted in Israeli Airstrikes

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) confirmed the elimination of multiple senior Hamas operatives in recent targeted airstrikes in Gaza. Among those killed were Osama Abu Namus, commander of Hamas’ Sabra Battalion, and his deputy, Mohammed al-Tarq. (Read More)


Venezuelan Opposition Leader Briefly Detained Before Maduro’s Inauguration

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado was briefly detained on Thursday during a protest in Caracas, according to her political team, Comando con Venezuela. The incident occurred on the eve of President Nicolás Maduro’s inauguration for a contested third term. Machado, 57, was reportedly "violently intercepted" by unidentified forces while traveling in a motorcycle convoy. Her team claimed that the convoy was shot at. (Read More)



Global Operations
Tracking Conflict Operations Worldwide

Trump Urged to Keep US Troops in Syria to Prevent ISIS Resurgence

General Mazloum Abdi, commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has called on president-elect Donald Trump to keep U.S. troops in Syria as he warned that a withdrawal could lead to IS (Islamic State) resurgence and destabilize Kurdish-controlled areas in the region. (Read More)


Stealthy AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles To Arm F-15EX, F-15E | TWZ

The U.S. Air Force is set to enhance its F-15E Strike Eagle and F-15EX Eagle II jets by integrating the AGM-158C Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), significantly boosting their maritime strike capabilities. Managed by the Navy’s Naval Air Systems Command and developed by Lockheed Martin, the LRASM features advanced stealth, autonomous navigation, and precision targeting systems, enabling it to counter heavily defended enemy warships. (Read More)​​


Attack on Chad’s Presidential Palace Leaves 19 Dead

An armed assault on Chad’s presidential palace in N’Djamena on Wednesday night resulted in 19 fatalities, including 18 assailants and one soldier, with three other soldiers wounded. The attack occurred while President Mahamat Deby Itno was inside the complex. Six suspects were taken into custody following the attack. (Read More)



Special Interest
Stories We Found Interesting

Yakuza Leader Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Nuclear Materials from Myanmar

Takeshi Ebisawa, a 60-year-old alleged leader of Japan’s Yakuza crime syndicate, pleaded guilty to charges of trafficking nuclear materials from Myanmar. Ebisawa entered the plea in a Manhattan federal court on Wednesday, according to reports. The charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and the potential for life behind bars. Sentencing is scheduled for April 9. (Read More)


Swiss National Accused of Espionage Dies by Suicide in Iranian Prison

A Swiss citizen arrested in Iran on charges of espionage died by suicide in a prison in Semnan province on Thursday, according to Iranian state-affiliated media. The individual, whose identity has not been disclosed, was detained in Semnan prison, approximately 190 kilometers (118 miles) east of Tehran. Iranian authorities and Switzerland's Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) have both confirmed the death. (Read More)


C-130 Activated as California Battles Devastating Los Angeles Wildfires

Two Air National Guard C-130J aircraft equipped with specialized firefighting systems have been activated to combat wildfires raging in and around Los Angeles, California, according to the Pentagon. These aircraft, from the 146th Airlift Wing of the California Air National Guard, are the first to be deployed, with two additional C-130Js from the Nevada Air National Guard’s 152nd Airlift Wing preparing to join the operations. (Read More)



Job Board
Email TALENT@SOFX.COM for Recruiting
Management & Leadership
General Manager Competitive College Station, TX
Business Unit Manager - Americas 140K - 170K Philadelphia, PA
Engineering & Technology
Controls Engineer 80K - 120K Easley, SC
Apache AH-64E Instructor/Operator Pilot (Multiple Openings) 134K - 145K Saudi Arabia - Khamis Mushait
Sr Marine/Mechanical Engineer 180K - 240K Minneapolis, MN


997 Morrison Drive, Suite 200, 29403, Charleston, SC

This email was sent to Reader

You've received it because you've subscribed to The SOFX Report.

Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe Here

Unsubscribe

The SOFX Report

Join 31,064 decision makers who get The SOFX Report delivered daily.

Read more from The SOFX Report
Screenshot from new footage released by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) showing a Tupolev Tu-22 strategic bomber targeted by a Ukrainian explosive drone during Operation “Spiderweb.” The aircraft is partially covered with tires, a tactic used by Russian

Alert Line NSTR. Sam Havelock CEO, SOFX Are you a first time reader? Subscribe. Screenshot from new footage released by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) showing a Tupolev Tu-22 strategic bomber targeted by a Ukrainian explosive drone during Operation “Spiderweb.” The aircraft is partially covered with tires, a tactic used by Russian airbases in an attempt to confuse automated targeting systems. (Source: SBU) Armed Conflict Open-Source Reporting on Global Conflict Footage from Operation...

 Screenshot from a video released by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) showing the moment an explosion hit the underwater pillars of the Crimean Bridge. (Source: SBU)

Alert Line NSTR. Sam Havelock CEO, SOFX Are you a first time reader? Subscribe. Screenshot from a video released by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) showing the moment an explosion hit the underwater pillars of the Crimean Bridge. (Source: SBU) Armed Conflict Open-Source Reporting on Global Conflict SBU Confirms Underwater TNT Strike on Crimean Bridge Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) said it damaged the Crimean Bridge early Tuesday using underwater explosives, the third such attack on the key...

A Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) fighter provides security following the overthrow of Syrian government forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad, December 13, 2024. (Photo: Mohammad Bash/Shutterstock.com)

Alert Line The SFA Chapter 78 Sentinel June 2025 issue is out! This month: celebrating our 2nd annual Valor Lunch, the real story of Air America, a preview of SFACON 2025 in Las Vegas, a review of Fire Support by Erik Lawrence, and a call to preserve your story with the Veterans History Project. Read it here. Sam Havelock CEO, SOFX Are you a first time reader? Subscribe. A Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) fighter provides security following the overthrow of Syrian government forces loyal to Bashar...