In the memo, Minihan laid out his goals for preparing for the potential conflict, including building "a fortified, ready, integrated, and agile Joint Force Maneuver Team ready to fight and win inside the first island chain."
Air Force General Orders Preparations for War with China
In the memo, Minihan ordered all air wing commanders in Air Mobility Command and other Air Force operational commanders to report all major efforts to prepare for China fight to him by Feb. 28. During February. He directed all AMC personnel to "fire a clip into a 7-meter target with the full understanding that unrepentant lethality matters most. Aim for the head." He also ordered all personnel to update their records and emergency contacts.
Air Force General Discusses Possibility of Drone Swarms in Future Conflict
Minihan also provided insight into potential capabilities the U.S. may consider in a conflict with China, mentioning commercial drone swarms. He directed KC-135 units to prepare for "delivering 100 off-the-shelf size and type UAVs from a single aircraft."
After NBC News obtained the memo, a defense department official stated that these comments did not represent the department's view on China. An AMC spokesperson confirmed that the memo was authentic and built on efforts from the previous year to ready the Mobility Air Forces for future conflict. The Department of Defense focuses on working with allies and partners to preserve a peaceful, free, and open Indo-Pacific.
