Mike Yeo 杨启铭
@thebaseleg.bsky.social
Defence reporter, military plane spotter, writer of books, scale model builder. Sometimes my worlds collide. An occasionally unserious X-ile. Personal account.
Kadena Air Base on the Japanese island of Okinawa is the largest US DoD installation in the Indo-Pacific, and is a hub for US & international ISR aircraft flying missions ranging from monitoring UN sanctions vs the DPRK to high-end SIGINT missions. More photos breakingdefense.com/2025/10/reap...
October 20, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Kadena Air Base on the Japanese island of Okinawa is the largest US DoD installation in the Indo-Pacific, and is a hub for US & international ISR aircraft flying missions ranging from monitoring UN sanctions vs the DPRK to high-end SIGINT missions. More photos breakingdefense.com/2025/10/reap...
Naha AB is unique among Japanese airbases in that it is home to JASDF, JGSDF & JMSDF units. I also visited the latter's Fleet Air Wing 5, where I was told (among other things) that their P-3C Orions were "thumped" by PLAN J-15s earlier this year breakingdefense.com/2025/10/chin...
Chinese fighters intercepted Japanese surveillance planes during carrier exercise: Official - Breaking Defense
JMSDF Capt. Naoto Tabata told Breaking Defense that one time the Chinese jets came as close as 45 meters (147 feet) from the surveillance birds.
breakingdefense.com
October 13, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Naha AB is unique among Japanese airbases in that it is home to JASDF, JGSDF & JMSDF units. I also visited the latter's Fleet Air Wing 5, where I was told (among other things) that their P-3C Orions were "thumped" by PLAN J-15s earlier this year breakingdefense.com/2025/10/chin...
I spent last week in Okinawa, where I learnt during a visit to Naha Airbase that the 2 resident F-15 Hikōtai were responsible for almost 60% of JASDF scrambles last year, and 60-70% of the service's scrambles on average in recent years breakingdefense.com/2025/10/okin...
Okinawa-based F-15 squadrons responsible for nearly 60 percent of country's scrambles - Breaking Defense
"We conduct surveillance of Japan's airspace in the area on a 24/7 basis and maintain readiness for any situation by utilizing all the systems and assets available to us," Col. Hideo Kiyonaga, chief o...
breakingdefense.com
October 9, 2025 at 9:05 AM
I spent last week in Okinawa, where I learnt during a visit to Naha Airbase that the 2 resident F-15 Hikōtai were responsible for almost 60% of JASDF scrambles last year, and 60-70% of the service's scrambles on average in recent years breakingdefense.com/2025/10/okin...
Reposted by Mike Yeo 杨启铭
Breaking Defense adds Mike Yeo as new Bureau Chief for Asia and Indo-Pacific region
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/05/breaking-defense-adds-mike-yeo-as-new-bureau-chief-for-asia-and-indo-pacific-region/
Breaking Defense adds Mike Yeo as new Bureau Chief for Asia and Indo-Pacific region
In further global growth, Breaking Defense doubles its regional news personnel in the Indo-Pacific.
breakingdefense.com
May 1, 2025 at 6:16 AM
Breaking Defense adds Mike Yeo as new Bureau Chief for Asia and Indo-Pacific region
https://breakingdefense.com/2025/05/breaking-defense-adds-mike-yeo-as-new-bureau-chief-for-asia-and-indo-pacific-region/
Finally photographed Royal Navy OPV HMS Tamar and her striking motif on Saturday. She was heading eastbound in the Strait of Johor after leaving Sembawang in Singapore
January 6, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Finally photographed Royal Navy OPV HMS Tamar and her striking motif on Saturday. She was heading eastbound in the Strait of Johor after leaving Sembawang in Singapore
Japan stockpiling AMRAAMs with 1,200 AIM-120C-8/D-3s requested and approved
January 3, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Japan stockpiling AMRAAMs with 1,200 AIM-120C-8/D-3s requested and approved
2024 has not been a bad year for aircraft photography
December 31, 2024 at 12:59 PM
2024 has not been a bad year for aircraft photography
Reposted by Mike Yeo 杨启铭
Elon Musk having enough money to do whatever he wants every minute of the rest of his life and he spends it being an Ian Miles Cheong reply guy at 2am, like, for all his financial corrupting and feckless cruelties, I still can’t think of a crueler hell that he deserves than the life he’s made
December 28, 2024 at 2:54 AM
Elon Musk having enough money to do whatever he wants every minute of the rest of his life and he spends it being an Ian Miles Cheong reply guy at 2am, like, for all his financial corrupting and feckless cruelties, I still can’t think of a crueler hell that he deserves than the life he’s made
Reposted by Mike Yeo 杨启铭
The first Chinese PLA Navy Type 076 amphibious assault ship was launched on the morning of Dec. 27 at the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai. It was named after the province of Sichuan and has a hull number of 51.
FYI: www.csis.org/analysis/chi...
CC @brianthart.bsky.social
FYI: www.csis.org/analysis/chi...
CC @brianthart.bsky.social
December 27, 2024 at 2:31 AM
The first Chinese PLA Navy Type 076 amphibious assault ship was launched on the morning of Dec. 27 at the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai. It was named after the province of Sichuan and has a hull number of 51.
FYI: www.csis.org/analysis/chi...
CC @brianthart.bsky.social
FYI: www.csis.org/analysis/chi...
CC @brianthart.bsky.social
Worth noting there was a big USN/DoD ship presence in Singapore over Christmas: sub tender USS Emory S Land, DDG USS O’Kane, USNS John Ericsson (T-AO), MV Carolyn Chouest (SpecOps mothership) in Sembawang while USS John L Canley (ESB) and 2x LCS in Changi
December 26, 2024 at 2:58 PM
Worth noting there was a big USN/DoD ship presence in Singapore over Christmas: sub tender USS Emory S Land, DDG USS O’Kane, USNS John Ericsson (T-AO), MV Carolyn Chouest (SpecOps mothership) in Sembawang while USS John L Canley (ESB) and 2x LCS in Changi
And the semi-annual Christmas defence surprise from China has just dropped. Seen over Chengdu today
December 26, 2024 at 9:11 AM
And the semi-annual Christmas defence surprise from China has just dropped. Seen over Chengdu today
Japan’s ATLA releases concept artwork for its Stand Off Jammer aircraft based on the C-2 airlifter. For some reason I’m getting Total Recall vibes www.mod.go.jp/atla/researc...
December 24, 2024 at 1:11 PM
Japan’s ATLA releases concept artwork for its Stand Off Jammer aircraft based on the C-2 airlifter. For some reason I’m getting Total Recall vibes www.mod.go.jp/atla/researc...
Reposted by Mike Yeo 杨启铭
At Hualien we got lucky with two F-16V's carrying the AN/VDS-5 LOROP-EO pod, otherwise known as the Phoenix Eye. Any F-16V can carry them, they are then unofficially known as a RF-16V. Also, two F-16V's returned from a CAP sortie with live AIM-9 and AIM-120s. #ROCAF @F-16.net
December 17, 2024 at 8:15 PM
Reposted by Mike Yeo 杨启铭
Just back from Japan & Taiwan. Main goal for the Taiwan trip was the last remaining RF-5E of the 12th TRS at Hualien under the 5th TFW. Two taxied out with a F-5F but the mission got scrubbed because of the weather. Luckily, they had to taxi underneath us on the way back. #ROCAF
December 17, 2024 at 8:13 PM
Just back from Japan & Taiwan. Main goal for the Taiwan trip was the last remaining RF-5E of the 12th TRS at Hualien under the 5th TFW. Two taxied out with a F-5F but the mission got scrubbed because of the weather. Luckily, they had to taxi underneath us on the way back. #ROCAF
USAF A-10s and C-130J at Hanoi’s Gia Lam Airport for the VIDEX defence expo. They are the first US combat aircraft to fly over Hanoi since 1972-73, I believe?
December 16, 2024 at 6:01 AM
USAF A-10s and C-130J at Hanoi’s Gia Lam Airport for the VIDEX defence expo. They are the first US combat aircraft to fly over Hanoi since 1972-73, I believe?
Pretty sure I’m not the 1st to suggest this but honestly haven’t seen this elsewhere but what if Assad regime collapse was due to Putin telling him Russia will no longer prop him up solo after Hezbollah got disemboweled & offered exile instead bec Ru needs the $, men & gear in Syria for Ukraine?
December 13, 2024 at 3:23 PM
Pretty sure I’m not the 1st to suggest this but honestly haven’t seen this elsewhere but what if Assad regime collapse was due to Putin telling him Russia will no longer prop him up solo after Hezbollah got disemboweled & offered exile instead bec Ru needs the $, men & gear in Syria for Ukraine?
Reposted by Mike Yeo 杨启铭
Pictures from rehearsal day Air Tactical Operations Evaluation - taking place on Dec 12. Photos: RTAF 🇹🇭
#Gripen D w/ LITENING III, IRIS-T, AMRAAM
#Gripen D w/ LITENING III, IRIS-T, AMRAAM
December 11, 2024 at 11:53 PM
Pictures from rehearsal day Air Tactical Operations Evaluation - taking place on Dec 12. Photos: RTAF 🇹🇭
#Gripen D w/ LITENING III, IRIS-T, AMRAAM
#Gripen D w/ LITENING III, IRIS-T, AMRAAM
This Getty photo showing the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike at Al-Mezzeh airfield in Damascus is likely at 33.4819, 36.2363 judging by the wreckage of the L-29 Delfin and MiG-21 sitting outside the shelter, which looks like it has a 2K12 Kub (SA-6 Gainful) SAM inside
December 9, 2024 at 1:18 PM
This Getty photo showing the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike at Al-Mezzeh airfield in Damascus is likely at 33.4819, 36.2363 judging by the wreckage of the L-29 Delfin and MiG-21 sitting outside the shelter, which looks like it has a 2K12 Kub (SA-6 Gainful) SAM inside
Look I want it to be true as much as the next guy, but I don’t see Bashar as the type who’d would try to get out of Dodge on a bloody Il-76
December 8, 2024 at 3:27 AM
Look I want it to be true as much as the next guy, but I don’t see Bashar as the type who’d would try to get out of Dodge on a bloody Il-76
Some guy in the last few hours: “I don't need ammo, I need a ride”
December 8, 2024 at 3:06 AM
Some guy in the last few hours: “I don't need ammo, I need a ride”
Reposted by Mike Yeo 杨启铭
Japan's defense ministry on Dec. 6 published photos of launch test of ground-launched and ship-launched Type 12 surface-to-ship missiles with improved capabilities.
www.mod.go.jp/j/press/news...
www.mod.go.jp/j/press/news...
December 6, 2024 at 12:04 PM
Japan's defense ministry on Dec. 6 published photos of launch test of ground-launched and ship-launched Type 12 surface-to-ship missiles with improved capabilities.
www.mod.go.jp/j/press/news...
www.mod.go.jp/j/press/news...
Reposted by Mike Yeo 杨启铭
For Want of an Oiler: The Fragile State of America’s Afloat Logistics Fleet
1️⃣ USNS Big Horn Grounding
2️⃣ USS Neches Sunk
3️⃣ Vulnerability of at sea #logistics
4️⃣ Use of civilian tanker to refuel a US Navy aircraft carrier
Full article at gCaptain.com
youtu.be/Vpm7_BGRP-4
1️⃣ USNS Big Horn Grounding
2️⃣ USS Neches Sunk
3️⃣ Vulnerability of at sea #logistics
4️⃣ Use of civilian tanker to refuel a US Navy aircraft carrier
Full article at gCaptain.com
youtu.be/Vpm7_BGRP-4
For Want of an Oiler: The Fragile State of America’s Afloat Logistics Fleet
YouTube video by What is Going on With Shipping?
youtu.be
December 2, 2024 at 10:06 PM
For Want of an Oiler: The Fragile State of America’s Afloat Logistics Fleet
1️⃣ USNS Big Horn Grounding
2️⃣ USS Neches Sunk
3️⃣ Vulnerability of at sea #logistics
4️⃣ Use of civilian tanker to refuel a US Navy aircraft carrier
Full article at gCaptain.com
youtu.be/Vpm7_BGRP-4
1️⃣ USNS Big Horn Grounding
2️⃣ USS Neches Sunk
3️⃣ Vulnerability of at sea #logistics
4️⃣ Use of civilian tanker to refuel a US Navy aircraft carrier
Full article at gCaptain.com
youtu.be/Vpm7_BGRP-4
Reposted by Mike Yeo 杨启铭
“A book dedicated to Ukraine that Amazon won't ship to Ukraine.”
November 30, 2024 at 7:04 AM
“A book dedicated to Ukraine that Amazon won't ship to Ukraine.”
Reposted by Mike Yeo 杨启铭
PSA: The “pter” in “pterodactyl” is the same “pter” in “helicopter”.
Yes, that’s right: “helicopter” is actually “helico + pter”, not “heli + copter”
Ancient Greek:
hélix ‘something twisted or spiraling’
pterón ‘wing’
#pterodactyl #helicopter #dino #dinosaur #etymology #linguistics #language
Yes, that’s right: “helicopter” is actually “helico + pter”, not “heli + copter”
Ancient Greek:
hélix ‘something twisted or spiraling’
pterón ‘wing’
#pterodactyl #helicopter #dino #dinosaur #etymology #linguistics #language
November 14, 2024 at 4:46 PM
PSA: The “pter” in “pterodactyl” is the same “pter” in “helicopter”.
Yes, that’s right: “helicopter” is actually “helico + pter”, not “heli + copter”
Ancient Greek:
hélix ‘something twisted or spiraling’
pterón ‘wing’
#pterodactyl #helicopter #dino #dinosaur #etymology #linguistics #language
Yes, that’s right: “helicopter” is actually “helico + pter”, not “heli + copter”
Ancient Greek:
hélix ‘something twisted or spiraling’
pterón ‘wing’
#pterodactyl #helicopter #dino #dinosaur #etymology #linguistics #language
Abraham Lincoln CSG including the destroyers USS Spruance (DDG-111) and USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112) eastbound in the Singapore Strait right now. Another DDG USS Frank E. Petersen left Singapore heading east this afternoon as well
November 27, 2024 at 3:34 PM
Abraham Lincoln CSG including the destroyers USS Spruance (DDG-111) and USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112) eastbound in the Singapore Strait right now. Another DDG USS Frank E. Petersen left Singapore heading east this afternoon as well