I doubt the US would go to war with China if they invade Taiwan, especially if it is a surprise attack and the US does not have enough assets in the area. Most likely total sanctions on China including kicking it out of the dollar system and freezing all Chinese assets. If a massive Chinese buildup was detected early on, the US could have begun to move much greater forces in the Pacific region and thus a showdown would be more likely, since the US would be fighting on greater footing than normal strength.
24 to 36 ... probably around 28.
the US keeps a lot of forces in the region.
the US 7th Fleet is located in
Japan with
1 nuclear Powered Aircraft Carrier (CVN)
3 Guided Missile Cruisers (CGHM)
2 Guided Missile Destroyers (DDGHM)
9 Guided Missile Destroyers (DDGM)
1 Landing Helicopters Assault (LHA)
1 Amphibious Command Ship (LCC)
2 Landing Ship Docks (LSD)
1 Landing Transportation Dock (LPD)
4 Mine Countermeasure Ship (MCO)
30 F18E (Modern)
10 F18F (Modern)
44 F16C/D (Capable)
84 Total Jet Fighters.
10 EA18G (electronic Warfare)
5 E-2D (AEW&C)
24 MH-60R (ASW)
12 MR-60S (Tpt)
10 C130J (Transport)
forces located on
Okinawa (500 miles from Taiwan)
5th Air Force & MEF 3
3rd Marine Divisions (Weak)
54 F15C/D (Capable)
14 F22A (Advance)
12 F35B (Advance)
24 F18C/D (Capable)
104 Total Jet Fighters.
15 K-135R (Aerial Tankers)
15 KC130J (Aerial Tankers)
2 E-3B (AEW&C)
10 HH-60G (CSAR)
24 MV-22B (Transports)
there is also a always one Carrier Strike Groups (CSG) in the area on patrol.
1 Nuclear powered Aircraft Carrier (CVN)
1-2 Guided Missile Cruisers (CGHM)
2-3 Guided Missile Destroyers (DDGHM/DDGM)
1-2 Nuclear powered Guided Missile Submarines (SSGN)
40 Jet Fighters (usually F35B or F18E/F)
5 EA18G (EW)
12 MH-60R (ASW)
2 E-2D (AEW&C)
not to mention
ROK
7th Air Force HQ
60 F16C/D (Capable)
24 A10C
Guam
12 K135R (Aerial Tanker)
4 Nuclear powered Guided Missile Submarines (SSGN)
8 THAAD SAM launchers
1 Marine Exped Brigade (MEB) worth of equipment on ships.
Hawaii
Mid Pacific Surface Group
14 Nuclear powered Guided Missile Submarines (SSGN)
2 Guided Missile Cruisers (CGHM)
7 Guided Missile Destroyers (DDGHM)
2 Guided Missile Destroyers (DDGM)
25th Infantry Division (2 IBCT, 1 Cbt Avn BDE, 1 Logistic BDE) (can be air flow in)
1 NG IBCT (can be air flow in)
1 Marine Exped BDE (can be air flow in)
Alaska
23 F22A (Advance)
1 IBCT (Airborne) (can be air flow in)
1 SBCT (can be air flow in)
then in 40 to 50 hours the US can have long range bombers fire long range cruise missiles
in a month the Marine MEF 1, 1st Corp and the rest of the 3rd Fleet could be in the area of operation
1st Marine Division (3 Marine BDEs, 1 CBT Air Wing, 1 FA BDE)
7th Infantry Division (3 SBCTs, 1 CBT Avn BDE, 1 MRL BDE)
3rd Fleet (3 CVNs, 1 LHA, 4 LHDs, 3 SSN, 11 DDGM, 10 SSGN, 7 CGHM, 10 DDGHM, 2 FFGHM, 11 FFHM, 4 LSD, 6 LPD, 2 MCO). 400 plus Fighter Jets (F35B, F18E/F, F18C/D), 75 AV-8B
and like +1000 Air Force Fighters (F22A, F35A, F15E, F15C/D, F16C/D)
so China would need to win in a month of less or they would be in deep trouble. of course the real issue that would hamper the US Military is the political leadership. the political leadership could say naw taiwan you are on your own. but i doubt that. as it would have all the US allies leave. but it could happen.