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The world's largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), transits the North Sea, Aug. 23, 2025. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tajh Payne)

SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES

Pentagon Redirects Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to the Caribbean

The Pentagon ordered the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group to deploy from the Mediterranean to U.S. Southern Command, marking the first time in years no U.S. carriers will be stationed in the Middle East.

The strike group will nearly double U.S. naval forces in the region, adding 4,500-5,000 personnel to existing counter-drug operations. Pentagon officials described the carrier's presence as both operational capability and a message of rapid force projection.

This follows ten strikes on suspected drug vessels since September, killing 43 alleged narco-terrorists. Defense Secretary Hegseth has emphasized lethal force over traditional capture-and-release tactics. (Read More)

Pentagon Accepts Anonymous $130 Million Gift for Military Pay

The Defense Department confirmed accepting a $130 million anonymous donation to offset military salaries during the government shutdown, though the gift covers only about one-third of one day's pay. President Trump announced the donation from a "friend," but officials declined to reveal whether the donor is American or foreign.

Legal experts question whether the funds can be used for salaries without congressional appropriation. Pentagon rules require donations over $10,000 undergo ethics review to ensure donors have no conflicting interests, with additional scrutiny for foreign contributors.

The administration previously shifted $6.5 billion in unused research funds to cover mid-month pay. Troops' next paycheck is scheduled for October 30, with future payments uncertain amid the ongoing shutdown. (Read More)

U.S. Opens Command Center in Israel to Manage Gaza Ceasefire Operations

Approximately 200 U.S. troops began monitoring Gaza's fragile ceasefire from a Civil-Military Coordination Center in Kiryat Gat, Israel, alongside Israeli, British and Canadian personnel. The force coordinates aid deliveries and plans for a U.S.-backed international stabilization force, though America has ruled out deploying soldiers into Gaza.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited the facility Friday, stating discussions continue on rules of engagement and potential UN mandate. Proposed contributors include Indonesia, UAE and Gulf states, with Israel retaining veto power over participants.

Major obstacles remain, including Hamas refusing to disarm despite renouncing governing ambitions. Palestinian factions agreed in Cairo to establish a temporary technocrat committee for managing basic services. (Read More)

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TEARLINE

CONFLICT UPDATES

➤ The U.S. military carried out its 10th strike on a suspected drug-smuggling vessel linked to Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang, killing six people in the Caribbean, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Friday, as the Trump administration ramps up armed operations against cartels without congressional authorization. (Read More)

➤ The Israeli military killed Hezbollah’s Southern Front logistics commander Abbas Hassan Karky in a targeted strike in southern Lebanon, accusing him of overseeing weapons transfers and rebuilding the group’s military infrastructure in violation of prior ceasefire terms. Another Hezbollah operative was killed in a separate IDF strike in Zawtar al-Sharqiyah. (Read More)

➤ Ukrainian SSO raided a Russian stronghold in Sumy region's North Slobozhansky sector, eliminating 13 soldiers and capturing the position. Group "A" of the 144th SSO Center cleared dugouts and firing positions with the operation captured on chest-mounted cameras. (Read More)

SECURITY UPDATES

➤ China controls 92 percent of rare earth processing and refining, creating critical vulnerabilities for Western military production including F-35 fighters and Tomahawk missiles. Beijing's dominance means Western militaries cannot restock weapons without Chinese approval, prompting Trump to impose 100 percent tariffs after China restricted exports this month. (Read More)

➤The Air Force is offering over 3,000 acres across five military bases for private AI data center development, with 2,115 acres at Edwards Air Force Base. The unprecedented lease proposal follows Trump's executive order, requiring developers to provide power, water, and pay fair-market rent. (Read More)

➤ The U.S. Treasury sanctioned Colombian President Gustavo Petro, his wife, son, and interior minister Friday over alleged ties to drug trafficking, escalating tensions after President Trump threatened tariffs and military action and revoked Petro’s visa following his protests against U.S. policy. (Read More)

TECHNOLOGY UPDATES

➤ A U.S. Air Force OA-1K Skyraider II light attack aircraft crashed during a training mission near Will Rogers International Airport in Oklahoma; both crew members, an active-duty airman and a contractor, were uninjured, and an investigation is underway into the incident involving the newly introduced aircraft. (Read More)

➤ A newly surfaced image on Chinese social media shows what analysts believe is the PLZ-051B, a next-generation 155mm self-propelled howitzer featuring a fully autonomous turret and digital fire control systems. The platform, likely designed to replace older artillery units, appears optimized for rapid, networked fire support with a reduced two-person crew. (Read More)

➤ The Army will purchase 3,500 drone motors and components from Florida-based Unusual Machines, with plans to buy an additional 20,000 parts next year. CEO Allan Evans called it the company's largest-ever government order, following a June executive order to accelerate domestic drone production. (Read More)

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ASSIGNMENTS

Management & Leadership

General Manager

Competitive

College Station, TX

Chief of Staff

$145K - $170K

Phoenix, AZ

Program Delivery and
Business Development Manager

Competitive

Remote, USA

Engineering & Technology

Controls Engineer

$80K - $120K

Easley, SC

Sr Aeromechanical Engineer

$145K - $175K

Camarillo, CA

Sr/Principal UAS GNC Engineer

$160K - $220K

Camarillo, CA

Director of Engineering

$185K - $215K

Phoenix, AZ

Technology Vendor Manager

$70K - $110K

Jacksonville, FL

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PMC & Security

Cultural Support Operator

Defense Division

Worldwide

Humanitarian Security Officer

Defense Division

Worldwide

Interpreter

Defense Division

Remote

Medic

Defense Division

Remote

Specialized Drone Operator

Defense Division

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SPECIAL CATEGORY

➤ Scientists analyzing teeth from a Napoleonic mass grave in Lithuania have identified DNA from paratyphoid and relapsing fever, showing that infectious diseases contributed significantly to the deaths of Napoleon's retreating army during the failed 1812 invasion of Russia, alongside cold and starvation.

➤ Reddit used a digital trap to catch AI firm Perplexity scraping its content, according to a new lawsuit that claims the company copied a hidden post only accessible via Google, exposing how AI startups rely on scraped data despite copyright restrictions and cease-and-desist orders.

➤ A once-thought-extinct volcano in southeastern Iran has shown new signs of activity, as satellite data revealed a 3.5-inch ground uplift near Taftan’s summit over 10 months, likely caused by underground gas buildup and prompting scientists to call for closer monitoring despite no immediate eruption risk.

On this day in history: On October 25th, 1983, the United States launched Operation Urgent Fury, invading Grenada after a Communist coup threatened approximately 1,000 American citizens, mostly medical students. Over 6,000 U.S. forces secured the island by October 27, with 18 Americans killed and 116 wounded during the Cold War intervention.

SENTIMENT COLLECTION

Who do you think will be TIME's Person of the Year for 2025?

AI, Person of the Year won't even be a person

Pope Leo XIV, first American pope is historic

Donald Trump, for the third time

Sam Altman, for creating the AI that could win Person of the Year

Other, I got my bets on someone else

Yesterday's Results:

Do you think AI should ever be allowed to make lethal decisions on the battlefield?

Never, lethal force must stay human-controlled (48.7%)
Only under human supervision (46.7%)
Yes, only if it reduces human casualties (4.6%)

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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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