China has continuously strengthened its military threats against Taiwan, has repeatedly stated that it will not stop using force to invade Taiwan, and has continuously deepened its strategic partnership with Russia, which invaded Ukraine, which has attracted the attention of the international community. US Air Force 4-star General Mike Minihan warned that the US could be in conflict with China as soon as 2025, and urged his commanders to push their troops to be combat-ready this year. He ordered his officers to be fully prepared to “fire magazines” at the target and “aim for the head”.

According to Agence France-Presse, an internal memo was first leaked on social media on the 27th, and was later confirmed by the Pentagon to be true. The memo recorded Minihan, head of the US Air Force’s Air Mobility Command, as saying that the primary purpose should be to deter and “defeat China if necessary.” “I hope I’m wrong, but my gut tells me we’re going to war in 2025,” he stressed.

Minihan explained that next year’s presidential election in Taiwan will be an excuse for Chinese President Xi Jinping to conduct military aggression, and the domestic presidential election will also draw the attention of the United States. “Xi Jinping’s team, reasons and opportunities all point to 2025,” noted the memo also calling on all Mobile Command personnel to go to the range, practice shooting at targets and “headshots.” Asked by AFP about the contents of the memo, a Pentagon spokesman replied: “Yes, he sent the memo.”

NBC reported that Minihan wrote an internal memo and sent it to all Air Force wing commanders at Air Maneuver Command, as well as other Air Force fighter commanders, on Monday. The content mentioned that since Taiwan and the United States will hold presidential elections in 2024, the United States will be “distracted” and Chinese President Xi Jinping will have the opportunity to take action against Taiwan.

The United States Air Force Mobility Command has nearly 50,000 officers and soldiers and nearly 500 aircraft, responsible for military transportation and refueling. Minihan listed a series of readiness goals, including establishing a “tough, ready, integrated and flexible Joint Force Mobility Group, ready to fight and win within the First Island Chain,” and ordered his subordinates to Report on key points combat readiness.

Minihan also directed that during February this year, all Air Force Mobility Control personnel should update their records and emergency contact information, and during March “consider personal matters and whether they intend to visit the service center’s legal office to ensure legal compliance. It’s ready.” A growing number of US lawmakers have also recently pushed for more aid to Taiwan, including direct military aid, as the US military prepares to fight, arguing that Russia’s incursion into Ukraine underscores the need for early preparations.