U.S. Army Launches New Unit to Counter Malign Influence in Indo-Pacific

The U.S. Army has established a new unit dedicated to countering what it describes as “malign influence” in the Indo-Pacific region. Officially activated on November 7, 2023, the 1st Theater Information Advantage Detachment (1st TIAD) is headquartered at Fort Shafter, Hawaii. This unit represents a significant shift in the Army’s approach to modern warfare by integrating information operations into conventional military strategies.

The 1st TIAD is a direct reporting unit to the U.S. Army Pacific commander. Its mission is to “gain and maintain a strategic advantage through information dominance” across a vast area that includes 36 countries spanning northeast, southeast, and south Asia, as well as Oceania. The unit aims to disrupt adversarial influence, enhance partnerships, and promote regional stability in line with the commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, according to an Army fact sheet.

This unique formation comprises 65 soldiers with expertise in various fields, including military intelligence, psychological operations, electronic warfare, public affairs, civil affairs, information operations, and cyber operations. The integration of these disciplines into dedicated teams marks a new era in military operations, as noted by Command Sgt. Maj. Avery Bennett, the unit’s senior enlisted adviser. He hinted at the potential for expansion in the future, stating, “There is talk for growth.”

The 1st TIAD is the first of three planned Theater Information Advantage Detachments. The second unit is expected to activate at Fort Gordon, Georgia, in the spring of 2026, followed by a third unit at Wiesbaden, Germany, in the fall.

National security analysts view this initiative as a fundamental change in military strategy. Anthony Vinci, adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, remarked that the establishment of the 1st TIAD signals a shift towards treating information operations as integral to conventional warfare. Vinci stated, “Conventional forces are orders of magnitude larger and are more worried about issues that can affect large numbers of people.”

As the specific operational strategies of the 1st TIAD remain to be seen, Vinci highlighted the potential for the unit to counter information campaigns from adversaries. In the Indo-Pacific, such campaigns could aim to undermine local support for U.S. initiatives or sway public opinion in favor of nations like China.

The activation of the 1st TIAD reflects a broader recognition within military circles of the importance of information in modern conflicts. By positioning this new unit at the forefront of operations in the Indo-Pacific, the U.S. Army is signaling its commitment to adapting to the evolving landscape of global security challenges.