(Dmytro “Henry” Aleksandrov, Headline USA) Four-star Air Force General Mike Minihan sent a memo on Friday, in which he warned the officers he commands that, in less than two years, he sees war on the horizon — with China.
Minihan, who reportedly sent the memo out to all of the air wing commanders in Air Mobility Command and other Air Force operational commanders, is in charge of around 50,000 service members and 500 planes in the Air Mobility Command, according to the Daily Wire.
NBC News, which obtained a copy of the memo, reported that Minihan warned that upcoming elections in 2024 — both in the United States and Taiwan — could provide enough cover that China might feel emboldened to attack Taiwan while the rest of the world is distracted.
“I hope I am wrong. My gut tells me we will fight in 2025,” he wrote.
“Xi secured his third term and set his war council in October 2022. Taiwan’s presidential elections are in 2024 and will offer Xi a reason. United States’ presidential elections are in 2024 and will offer Xi a distracted America. Xi’s team, reason, and opportunity are all aligned for 2025.”
Minihan told his officers to prepare a plan for the potential war with China, instructing them to report back to him with their plans — and any efforts they may have already made — no later than Feb. 28.
He also laid out a series of steps that officers should be taking in their efforts to prepare. Minihan said that his ultimate goal was to build “a fortified, ready, integrated and agile Joint Force Maneuver Team ready to fight and win inside the first island chain.”
He also told the officers what they should be doing in the coming months, beginning with February.
“Fire a clip into a 7-meter target with the full understanding that unrepentant lethality matters most. Aim for the head.”
Minihan also suggested in March that they make sure their legal affairs were handled in case of deployment, saying that they should “consider their personal affairs and whether a visit should be scheduled with their servicing base legal office to ensure they are legally ready and prepared.”
