The U.S. Army has established a new unit focused on countering “malign influence” in the Indo-Pacific region. The 1st Theater Information Advantage Detachment (1st TIAD) was officially activated on November 7, 2023, and is headquartered at Fort Shafter, Hawaii. This unit aims to integrate information operations into traditional military strategies, according to the unit’s public affairs officer.
The primary objective of the 1st TIAD is to “gain and maintain a strategic advantage through information dominance” in a region that encompasses 36 countries across northeast, southeast, and south Asia, as well as Oceania. The unit’s strategy includes disrupting malign influence, enhancing cooperation with key partners, and promoting regional stability. An Army fact sheet outlines the commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific as a guiding principle of the unit’s operations.
With a composition of 65 soldiers, the 1st TIAD combines various military disciplines, including military intelligence, psychological operations, electronic warfare, public affairs, civil affairs, information operations, and cyber operations. This diverse skill set allows for a multifaceted approach to information warfare that adapts to the contemporary battlespace.
Command Sgt. Maj. Avery Bennett, the unit’s senior enlisted adviser, hinted at potential expansion, stating, “There is talk… for growth,” although he did not specify details regarding the size of future detachments. The 1st TIAD is the first of three planned Theater Information Advantage Detachments, with the second set to activate at Fort Gordon, Georgia, in spring 2026, followed by the third in Wiesbaden, Germany, in fall 2026.
The establishment of the 1st TIAD represents a significant evolution in military strategy, according to national security analysts. As noted by Anthony Vinci, adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, the activation signals a shift in how the military perceives the information battlespace. Vinci remarked, “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.” He emphasized that conventional forces must adapt to address large-scale issues that can impact significant populations.
While the specific operational tactics of the 1st TIAD remain undisclosed, experts suggest that the formation could be utilized to counteract adversarial information campaigns. Vinci elaborated that adversaries in the Indo-Pacific may attempt to undermine local support for U.S. initiatives or redirect community allegiances toward China.
With this new unit, the U.S. Army aims to enhance its capabilities in a region that is increasingly important for global security dynamics. The commitment to information superiority underscores the evolving nature of warfare and the critical role that information plays in shaping public perception and international relations.
