 Members of the Ops team in 2019 | |
| Center overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1961; 64 years ago (1961) |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Parent department | Executive Secretariat of theDepartment of State |
| Child agencies |
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TheUnited States Department of State’s Operations Center (S/ES-O)[1] monitors world events, prepares written briefs for theSecretary of State and otherU.S. State Department senior officials, and facilitates communication between the State Department and the rest of the world.[2]
As part of theExecutive Secretariat, located inState Department's headquarters in Washington, D.C., the Operations Center provides senior policy makers with alerts and briefings on world events affecting U.S. interests abroad. The organization's mission is to get the right information to the right people at the right time. To do so, the Operations Center is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. In addition to day-to-day operations, when a crisis arises, the Operations Center may set up a task force to address logistics and, in conjunction with theConsular Affairs bureau, assists U.S. citizens in need.[3] In response to theearthquake in Haiti in 2010, as with many other crises, the Operations Center convened a task force to assist in coordinating humanitarian response, informing domestic and foreign officials, and aiding American citizens.
The Operations Center was inaugurated in 1961 at the instruction of PresidentJohn F. Kennedy withTheodore C. Achilles as its first director.[4] When the President could not reach anyone at State in the midst of the failedBay of Pigs invasion, he realized the importance of maintaining a crisis response center.[5] At its inception, only one watch officer staffed the Operations Center supplied with a GI-issuebunk bed, a waterpitcher, and atelephone. Since then, the Operations Center has grown with the needs of the Secretary of State and the expanding U.S. diplomatic presence around the world. The Operations Center is made up of two parts: The Watch and Crisis Management Support.
The Watch
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The Operations Center handles approximately 340,000 calls annually.[6] It is staffed by Watchstanders who work in shifts to provide coverage around the clock. At any moment, one of the State Department's top leaders might call in requesting information on breaking news stories. These incoming calls overlap with the near constant intake of press and cable traffic. Watchstanders receive and process this information as a team. As Watchstanders receive information, they assess its importance and reach out toembassies andconsulates overseas, as well as country desk officers at headquarters, to contextualize the information. The most relevant items are shared with senior officials through daily written and oral briefs.
Crisis Management and Strategy
Officers in Crisis Management and Strategy (CMS) analyze information with an eye towards anticipating future hot spots around the world. By preparing for crises before they arise, CMS helps embassies and consulates abroad adjust their security protocols for any natural disaster or potential source of conflict. When a crisis does happen, CMS oversees tasks forces, managing coordination within the State Department and between interagency actors.
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The Operations Center recently celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. Secretary of StateHillary Clinton marked this occasion by sharing some of her memorable interactions with the Operations Center.[7] In one instance, she called asking to speak with an ambassador visiting Washington. A few minutes later, a Watch Officer connected her. Only later did she learn that the Ambassador did not have his cell phone with him. The Operations Center officers had called the Ambassador’s temporary residence and learned that the concierge had recommended three restaurants, but did not know which one he had chosen. Within minutes, while Secretary Clinton remained on the line, the officers dialed the restaurants, circulated a picture of the Ambassador, and requested that the waitstaff scan the premise for his party. A Watch Officer connected the Secretary with the Ambassador so quickly she was not initially aware of the exhaustive search process. As Secretary Clinton stated later on, “That is perseverance!”[8] Secretary Clinton also highlighted the office's role in rescuing a downed American pilot inLibya, a story which illustrates the international reach of the Operation Center's reputation. A Libyan man who had received an education grant from theU.S. government found the pilot and called the Operations Center. The Watch Officer then called theU.S. Department of Defense, who promptly arranged his rescue. These stories highlight how the Operations Center supports the State Department's goal of serving American citizens and safeguarding U.S. interests abroad.
