The Situation Room has secure, advanced communications equipment for the president to maintain command and control of U.S. forces around the world.

[2] The Situation Room was created in 1961[3] on the order of President John F. Kennedy after the failure of the Bay of Pigs invasion was attributed to a lack of current information.

They stand watch round the clock, monitoring world events and keeping senior White House staff apprised of significant incidents.

[3][4] The purpose of the Situation Room is to provide current intelligence and crisis support to the NSC staff, the national security advisor, and the president.

Later, a written "Sit Room Note" is prepared, summarizing the event with current reports from other centers, perhaps including a photo, diagram, or map.

Another typical Situation Room activity is arranging the president's phone calls and other sensitive communications with foreign heads of state.

[6] Rebuilding took about four and a half months[5] and was disruptive, particularly to White House chief of staff Joshua Bolten, whose office was directly above it.

The New York Times reported that "Staff members described sitting in his room and hearing ear-piercing noise or watching water ripple in glasses on his desk as the floor shook.

"[5] The renovation yielded several pieces from decades before, including coaxial cables; columns; and a frame window from a sunken courtyard from the presidency of Franklin D.

[5] Sensors were installed in the ceilings to detect cellular signals to prevent unauthorized communications and bugging by mobile phones, personal digital assistants, and other devices.

On May 17, 2007, President George W. Bush and British prime minister Tony Blair participated in a video conference with members of their Iraq teams from the newly renovated Situation Room.