US Military Embraces Information Warfare, SOF Lead the Way

In a significant shift, the US military has been integrating information warfare capabilities into its operations, with special operations forces (SOF) leading the way. This move, reflecting the current threat environment, has seen the establishment of effects cells and the adoption of new concepts like 'war of ideas'.

The evolution of information warfare began in the early 1990s, with the term gaining prominence. This shift was acknowledged in 1959 by Murray Dyer, who described the standoff between the US and its allies and their Soviet-led adversaries as a 'war of ideas'.

In 2015, Congress approved the authority and funds to train and equip vetted Syrian forces, leading to the creation of the first Joint Effects Group (JEG). This marked a significant step in the military's approach to information warfare.

The Army's PSYOP and CA regiments have recognized the need for additional knowledge-management tools. They have established sections to address information environment requirements and are discussing the integration of personnel with the right knowledge and skills into effects units. This cooperation extends to Civil Affairs (CA) human network analysis teams complementing PSYOP's target audience analysis process.

The 1st Battalion, 8th Psychological Operations Group, stood up the publicly available information exploitation cell (PPEX), integrating Red Team concepts into its operations. Similarly, a seven-person team of PSYOP, CA, and SF personnel established a similar effects cell in the 4th Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group. These effects cells aim to foster nontraditional solutions by gathering personnel into a single section to measure the information environment or achieve effects.

The US military's shift towards Multi-Domain Operations has highlighted the importance of information warfare. SOF organizations, with their experiences and lessons learned, are well-positioned to leverage these capabilities. The establishment of effects cells and the integration of new concepts like 'war of ideas' indicate a strategic approach to information warfare as an inseparable component of large-scale combat operations.