Jack G. Downing

For the fictional character Major Jack Downing, see Seba Smith.

Jack G. Downing (born 1941?) was Deputy Director for Operations (DDO) for the Central Intelligence Agency from 1997 until July 1999.

Jack Downing graduated from Harvard University, majoring in Chinese language and history, as well as Asian studies. He served two combat tours in Vietnam as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining the CIA in 1967. Downing was appointed Station chief in both Moscow and Beijing, and as Chief of the Directorate of Operations East Asia Division. He retired in 1995, but returned two years later when he was asked by then-Director of Central Intelligence George Tenet to head the DO.

References

• CIA press release announcing Downing's resignation
• Association of Former Intelligence Officers newsletter, May 1999

Government offices
Preceded by David Cohen	CIA Deputy Director for Operations 1997 – July 1999	Succeeded by James Pavitt