TechNet Indo-Pacific 2025

Col Toby Hlad, USMC
Commander
Defense Information Systems Agency Pacific


Colonel Hlad assumed command of Defense Information Systems Agency Regional Field Command Pacific (DISA PAC) on 18 July 2025. He is responsible for the engineering, operation, defense, and command and control of the Pacific portion of the Department of Defense Information Network. Col Hlad directly supports US Indo-Pacific Command, US Forces Japan, US Forces Korea, Alaska Command, and Pacific Mission Partners, Service Components, and Agencies. Colonel Hlad enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves and graduated as the honor graduate from MCRD Parris Island in 1999 and reported to MP Co A in Lexington, KY. Following graduation from Centre College, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in June of 2001. Following The Basic School and Command and Control Systems Officers Course in Quantico, VA, he reported to Marine Aircraft Group 31, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, SC, in 2003. There, he served as the first school-trained communications officer for the group and supported multiple F/A-18 carrier-based deployments and rotations to Operation Iraqi Freedom. From 2005-2008, Col Hlad served as S-6A for the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. He supported relief operations during Hurricane Katrina, exercise Infinite Moonlight in Al Qatranah, Jordon, the Non- Combative Evacuation of American citizens from Beirut, Lebanon, and strike missions into Afghanistan. In 2008, as 24 MEU’s communications officer, Col Hlad oversaw the planning and integration of the Marine Expeditionary Unit's communication architecture into Afghanistan and supported combat operations in Southern Helmand province from January to November. Also in 2009, Col Hlad was selected for Naval Postgraduate School and received a Master’s in Leadership Education and Development. Upon completion of his master’s, he was assigned as 28th company officer and 6th Battalion executive officer at the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD. Following this tour, Col Hlad was selected to attend the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, where he graduated with a Master of Military Studies degree. In July of 2013, Col Hlad took command of 1st Marine Division’s Communications Company. During his tour, the Company supported four Division-level exercises, two MEF-level exercises and supported 1st Marine Division’s requirements across the globe. In 2015, Col Hlad was selected to attend the School of Advanced Warfighting (SAW), where he graduated and received a Master of Operational Studies degree. Following SAW, he was assigned to Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51 / 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (TF 51/5), NSA Bahrain, as the Future Operations Officer and lead planner. While at TF 51/5, Col Hlad led several planning efforts in the CENTCOM AOR for deliberate and crisis response operations. Planning efforts were varied from the crisis in the Southern Red Sea, acceleration of the defeat ISIS campaign in support of CJTF-OIR, Special Operations, and Interdiction Operations. In 2018 he took command of 7th Communication Bn in Okinawa, Japan, supporting operations for III MEF, III MEB, 31st MEU, and the INDOPACOM staff across the INDOPACOM AOR. As the only forward deployed communications Bn in the Marine Corps, the “Stormbreakers” were always on call supporting forces across the Pacific. In 2020, Col Hlad was selected to attend the College of Information and Cyberspace, at National Defense University. He received a Master of Science in Government Information Leadership and was a distinguished graduate in June of 2021. Colonel Hlad reported to JFHQ-DODIN in July of 2021, where he served as the Division Chief for deliberate plans at JFHQ-DODIN J5 where he synchronized operational and strategic plans for OSD, CIO, Joint Staff, and Combatant Commands. He reported to USINDOPACOM in May of 2023 where he served as the C4 Operations Division Chief (J63), for the J6 directorate.

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