Lt Gen Eugene Tighe Jr., USAF
September 1977 - August 1981
In 1978, DIA underwent a major reorganization to enhance the Agency's analysis and Intelligence Community standing. This reorganization was completed under the stewardship of Lt. Gen. Eugene Tighe in August 1979, which established a basic infrastructure that lasted nearly a decade. Following Executive Order 12036, which restructured the Intelligence Community and clarified DIA's national and departmental responsibilities, Tighe established five major directorates: production, operations, resources, external affairs and J-2 support.
However, the loss of intelligence resources throughout the 1970s limited the Intelligence Community's ability to collect and produce timely intelligence, and ultimately contributed to intelligence shortcomings in Iran, Afghanistan and other strategic areas.