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

The U.S. Army has established a new unit focused on countering what it describes as “malign influence” in the Indo-Pacific region. Officially launched on November 7, 2023, the 1st Theater Information Advantage Detachment (1st TIAD) is headquartered at Fort Shafter, Hawaii, and reports directly to the commander of U.S. Army Pacific.

The 1st TIAD’s primary mission is to achieve and sustain a strategic advantage through information dominance across a vast area covering 36 countries, including regions of northeast, southeast, and south Asia, as well as Oceania. The unit aims to disrupt malign influences while fostering cooperation with key partners and promoting regional stability based on a shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

This formation includes 65 soldiers and integrates various military disciplines such as military intelligence, psychological operations, electronic warfare, public affairs, civil affairs, information operations, and cyber operations. The diverse skill set of the unit is intended to create dedicated teams capable of operating effectively in the information landscape.

Command Sgt. Maj. Avery Bennett, the senior enlisted adviser of the unit, hinted at potential expansion, stating, “There is talk for growth,” though he refrained from providing specifics regarding the detachment’s future size. The 1st TIAD is the first of three planned Theater Information Advantage Detachments, with the second expected to activate at Fort Gordon, Georgia, in the spring of 2026, and the third set to follow at Wiesbaden, Germany, later that year.

This development reflects a significant shift in military operations, according to national security analyst Anthony Vinci from the Center for a New American Security. “It’s a signal that we’re now treating information operations as part of the conventional fight and that means doing it at a much larger scale,” Vinci explained. He emphasized that traditional military forces are now more concerned about issues that can affect large populations.

While the specific operations of the 1st TIAD remain to be clarified, the unit is likely to engage in efforts to counteract information campaigns from adversaries. Vinci pointed out that such campaigns could aim to diminish local support for U.S. involvement in the region or shift allegiances toward nations like China.

The activation of the 1st TIAD marks a crucial step in the U.S. Army’s strategic approach to modern warfare, emphasizing the importance of information in maintaining influence and stability in a rapidly evolving global landscape. As the unit begins its operations, its effectiveness in achieving these objectives will be closely monitored both domestically and internationally.