Concrete instructions for preparing for a war with China: A US general instructs his commanders to prepare for battle.
Washington DC (USA) - "I hope I'm wrong," writes US Air Force General Mike Minihan in a memo.
But: "My gut feeling tells me that I will fight in 2025." The memo apparently went to commanders of the US Air Force on Friday and was available to
NBC News
.
Minihan assumes that China will invade Taiwan in 2025 and that the US will stand by the country.
The instructions are specific.
The general wants feedback by February 28: In February they are to "fire a magazine at a 7-meter target with the full understanding that unrepentant lethality is paramount."
Aim for the head.” In addition, all employees should update their records and emergency contacts.
US general instructs staff to prepare for war against China
In March, Minihan instructed all AMC employees to "review their personal affairs and whether a visit to their service base's legal department should be scheduled to ensure they are legally ready and prepared."
But where does the US general's gut feeling come from?
He assumes that both the US and China would be domestically "distracted" by the upcoming elections in 2024, and that Chinese President Xi Jinping would have the opportunity to prepare for a possible invasion of Taiwan.
US general wants to prepare employees for war against China
Can a general issue such an explosive memo?
What's behind it?
A spokesman for Air Mobility Command confirmed to NBC News that the command is making "basic efforts to prepare for conflict in the event deterrence fails."
But Defense Department spokesman Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said in a statement that the US strategy remains peace-focused: "The National Defense Strategy makes it clear that China is a challenge for the Department of Defense, and we remain focused on working with allies and partners to work together to preserve a peaceful, free and open Indo-Pacific.” A candidate in Taiwan's presidential election has taken on China.
(cat)