The Pentagon
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| The Pentagon | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | The Pentagon |
| Architect | George Bergstrom |
| Location | Arlington County, Virginia |
| Country | United States |
| Client | United States Department of Defense |
The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, located in Arlington County, Virginia, near Washington, D.C. and the Potomac River. The building has become a symbol of the United States Armed Forces and is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world, often associated with United States Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and National Security Council. The Pentagon is also close to other important institutions, including the Central Intelligence Agency, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and Defense Intelligence Agency. It has been the site of significant events, including the September 11 attacks, which involved American Airlines Flight 77 and resulted in a major rescue effort by Federal Emergency Management Agency and Arlington County Fire Department.
History
The history of The Pentagon began in 1941, during the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt, when the United States Department of War was rapidly expanding and needed a new headquarters. The building was designed by George Bergstrom and constructed by John McShain and Felix L. Robertson, with the help of United States Army Corps of Engineers. The Pentagon was officially dedicated on January 15, 1943, and has since become a symbol of United States military power, hosting notable figures such as Dwight D. Eisenhower, Henry Kissinger, and Colin Powell. The building has undergone several renovations, including a major reconstruction project led by Bechtel Group and Gilbane Building Company, which was completed in 2011. The Pentagon has been involved in significant events, including the Korean War, Vietnam War, and Gulf War, and has been the site of important meetings, such as those between Richard Nixon and Leonid Brezhnev during the SALT I negotiations.
Architecture
The architecture of The Pentagon is a unique example of Modernist architecture, with a distinctive pentagonal shape and a large central courtyard. The building was designed to be a self-contained facility, with its own power plant, water supply, and wastewater treatment system, and is surrounded by a network of roads and highways, including Interstate 395 and Columbia Pike. The Pentagon is also close to other notable buildings, including the Arlington National Cemetery, United States Air Force Memorial, and Pentagon Memorial. The building's design has been influenced by the work of famous architects, such as Le Corbusier and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and has been recognized with several awards, including the American Institute of Architects' Twenty-five Year Award. The Pentagon's architecture has also been studied by scholars at institutions such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, and University of California, Berkeley.
Organization
The organization of The Pentagon is complex, with a large staff of United States Department of Defense employees, including civilian and military personnel. The building is home to the offices of the United States Secretary of Defense, Deputy Secretary of Defense, and Joint Chiefs of Staff, as well as the National Military Command Center and the Defense Intelligence Agency. The Pentagon is also the headquarters of the United States Army, United States Navy, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, and is closely linked to other institutions, including the National Security Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Department of Homeland Security. The organization of The Pentagon has been influenced by the work of notable figures, such as Robert McNamara and Donald Rumsfeld, and has been studied by scholars at institutions such as Stanford University, University of Chicago, and Columbia University.
Operations
The operations of The Pentagon are focused on supporting the United States Armed Forces and coordinating national defense efforts. The building is home to a large number of command centers, including the National Military Command Center and the Defense Intelligence Agency, and is closely linked to other institutions, such as the White House, United States Congress, and Federal Emergency Management Agency. The Pentagon is also involved in a range of international activities, including NATO and United Nations operations, and has played a key role in significant events, such as the Gulf War and War in Afghanistan. The operations of The Pentagon have been influenced by the work of notable figures, such as Norman Schwarzkopf Jr. and David Petraeus, and have been studied by scholars at institutions such as United States Naval Academy, United States Military Academy, and United States Air Force Academy.
Security
The security of The Pentagon is a top priority, with a range of measures in place to protect the building and its occupants. The building is surrounded by a perimeter fence and is guarded by United States Pentagon Police and United States Military Police, with support from Federal Bureau of Investigation and United States Secret Service. The Pentagon is also protected by a range of surveillance systems, including closed-circuit television and motion detectors, and has a comprehensive emergency response plan in place, which includes evacuation procedures and first aid facilities. The security of The Pentagon has been influenced by the work of notable figures, such as Richard Armitage and Paul Wolfowitz, and has been studied by scholars at institutions such as George Washington University, University of Maryland, and Georgetown University. The Pentagon's security measures have been recognized with several awards, including the Department of Defense's Excellence in Security Award.