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Three Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-15J Eagles fly alongside a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker over the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 14, 2022 (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Yosselin Campos)

SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES

Japan Accuses Chinese Jets of Directing Fire-Control Radar at Its Aircraft

Japan accused Chinese military jets of twice locking their fire-control radar on Air Self-Defense Force aircraft over international waters near Okinawa. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi called the “dangerous acts” regrettable and said Tokyo lodged a strong protest with Beijing, demanding preventive measures.

According to Japan’s Defense Ministry, Chinese J-15s “intermittently” targeted Japanese F-15s for several minutes during two separate incidents on Saturday. No airspace breach or damage was reported.

Beijing denied the allegations and accused Japan of disrupting Chinese naval training. The encounters come amid rising tensions after Takaichi suggested Japan could respond to Chinese action against Taiwan. (Read More)

Chernobyl Protective Shield Can No Longer Contain Radiation After Drone Strike, UN Says

A drone strike in February damaged the New Safe Confinement at Chernobyl nuclear plant in Ukraine, leaving it unable to perform its main safety functions, the United Nations nuclear watchdog, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said.

Ukraine reported the February strike, suspected to have been carried out by Russian forces, sparked a fire and damaged the cladding around Reactor 4. Inspections confirmed the structure lost its primary confinement capability. Temporary repairs have been made, but full restoration is essential, the IAEA said.

The shield was built to secure Reactor 4, site of the 1986 disaster that killed at least 30 people and exposed millions to radiation. (Read More)

US Coast Guard Seizes 20,000 Pounds of Cocaine in Eastern Pacific

The U.S. Coast Guard cutter USCGC Munro seized over 20,000 pounds of cocaine from a single ship this week, the largest at-sea interdiction in nearly two decades. The Munro made the seizure during counter-narcotics operations in the Eastern Pacific, south of Mexico, as part of Operation Pacific Viper.

Video footage shows Coast Guard crew pursuing a “go-fast” vessel and disabling it with a helicopter before boarding and seizing the drugs. It is unclear what happened to those on board the vessel.

The Coast Guard said the operation demonstrates its role in protecting the homeland and keeping deadly drugs out of U.S. communities. (Read More)

At Parsons, we specialize in delivering advanced technical and operational services, alongside comprehensive training and readiness solutions tailored for both public and private sector organizations.

Our mission is to discreetly address and mitigate vulnerabilities stemming from various threats, including physical, technical, and criminal risks that can impact operations, infrastructure, personnel, resources, and intellectual property. Our immersive training programs, such as AD², CASO, and Commercial Signature Reduction (CSR), are continuously refined to ensure participants receive the most up-to-date and relevant instruction within today’s dynamic information environment.

For organizations requiring longer-term training planning, our Open Enrollment courses provide an excellent option, focusing on PAI investigation and signature reduction methodologies. Offered online several times a year, these courses allow flexibility to align with your operational tempo, while also fostering collaborative insights through an inter-agency learning environment. Enhance your operational readiness and resilience today.

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QUICK UPDATES

CONFLICT UPDATES

➤ Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces attacked a kindergarten and other civilian sites in Kalogi, South Kordofan, on Thursday, killing at least 116 people, including 46 children, according to local officials and Sudanese Armed Forces sources. (Read More)

➤ Troops from Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone were sent to Benin after a group of soldiers attempted to dissolve the government. President Patrice Talon said the situation is “totally under control.” (Read More)

➤ The U.S. Army has established a new Army Western Hemisphere Command to consolidate Army Forces Command, Army North, and Army South. The new command will be based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. (Read More)

SECURITY UPDATES

➤ Canadian police are piloting AI-equipped body cameras designed to recognize about 7,000 “high risk” individuals, testing whether facial recognition technology, long criticized as intrusive, could be integrated into policing across North America. (Read More)

➤ Kohler’s Dekoda smart toilet camera does not use end-to-end encryption as claimed, but relies on standard TLS encryption to secure data in transit, prompting privacy concerns and potential confusion over how much access the company actually has to users’ images. (Read More)

➤ A JetBlue Airbus A320 abruptly dropped in altitude after departing Cancun, Mexico, forcing an emergency landing in Florida. Airbus later cited cosmic rays from outer space disrupting the plane’s computer systems as the suspected cause. (Read More)

TECHNOLOGY UPDATES

➤ The U.S. Navy has selected the LST-100 from Dutch shipbuilder Damen as the basis for a new class of Medium Landing Ships (LSMs). Construction is expected to begin in 2026, with the first ship delivered by 2029. (Read More)

➤ President Donald Trump has approved the “Golden Fleet,” a new U.S. naval initiative that will include American-made frigates, modernized logistics ships, and unmanned drone boats, Navy Secretary John Phelan told Axios. (Read More)

➤ The United States has offered Poland 250 used Stryker vehicles for a symbolic $1, and Warsaw is preparing to accept the deal once logistics are finalized, Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said. (Read More)

Safeguarding Against Drone Threats

From safeguarding bases to securing events and critical infrastructure, stay ahead of emerging threats with a proven partner in counter-drone innovation.

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SPECIAL CATEGORY

➤ The internet has raised $1.7 million for Ed Bambas, an 88-year-old Army veteran still working full-time at a grocery store, after his story of lost pension and financial hardship went viral on social media.

➤ OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is exploring building, funding, or acquiring a rocket company to potentially compete with Elon Musk in the space race, with plans tied to supporting space-based data centers for next-generation AI, according to reports.

➤ Kīlauea’s Episode 38 concluded after more than 12 hours of continuous lava fountaining, with massive eruptions across the summit caldera destroying a livestreaming USGS webcam. Officials warned residents that elevated gas levels and tephra could affect areas near and downwind of the eruption.

On this day in history: On December 8th, 2012, the International Security Assistance Force launched a rescue operation in Afghanistan following American physician Dr. Dilip Joseph's abduction. Navy SEAL Petty Officer 1st Class Nicolas D. Checque gave his life leading the assault, posthumously receiving the Navy Cross. Senior Chief Edward Byers earned the Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism, securing the hostage under fire.

SENTIMENT COLLECTION

When will flying cars move from concept to consumer reality?

By 2030

2030-2035

After 2035, but this century

It's not happening

Saturday's Results:

Will SpaceX (or anyone) put humans on Mars within the next decade?

Yes (36.6%)
No (30.8%)
Unmanned mission only (32.6%)

ASSIGNMENTS

PMC & Security

Cultural Support Operator

Defense Division

Worldwide

Humanitarian Security Officer

Defense Division

Worldwide

Medic

Defense Division

Worldwide

Interpreter

Defense Division

Worldwide

Communications and Command Systems Instructor

Defense Division

Worldwide

VIEW BOARD

Parsons delivers operationally ready CUAS solutions for the world's most critical missions. Our AI-powered platform integrates multi-modal technologies to detect, track, and neutralize drone threats with unmatched precision and speed. From safeguarding bases to securing events and critical infrastructure, stay ahead of emerging threats with a proven partner in counter-drone innovation.

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About SOFX: We are an independent media and communications technology company reporting on the conflicts, security, and technology issues impacting your lives and businesses. SOFX was founded by former Special Operations & Intelligence Professionals not Career Journalists or Big Tech / Big Media.

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