Fort Zancudo

Fort Zancudo is a U.S. military facility joint-operated by the Army, the Marine Corps, and the Air Force featured in Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online.

Description
Fort Zancudo is the only military base in Grand Theft Auto V and in the HD Universe so far. It also includes a fire station inside the base.

Location
Fort Zancudo is located on the outskirts of the Lago Zancudo swamps and at the base of Mount Josiah in Blaine County, San Andreas.

It is bordered by the Zancudo River towards the south as well as Route 1 on the west with the Los Santos Highway passing underneath via tunnel. There is also a memorial that can be found by the Fort Zancudo Approach Road.

Usage
The base mainly serves as a base of operations, airbase and munitions depot for the United States Air Force. The are also stationed at the base, as suggested by the base's inhabitants yelling " motherfucker!" and "I'm a fucking Marine!" during combat, as well as "Here's a hello from the United States Marine Corps" during idle conversation.

According to the patches worn by many units, there are also Army personnel stationed here which means Fort Zancudo serves multiple branches of the American forces. It's possible that the Army elements in the base were attached to the 135th Airborne Division, as Brincat was part of this unit. Both the Marines and Soldiers wear uniforms resembling that of the by cut and the  by appearance, the standard uniforms of the  and the. However, the Marines' wear a tan vest resembling the just like their real-life counterparts.

Protection
Naturally Fort Zancudo is heavily guarded whose perimeter is lined with high, anti-scale fencing stretched along the perimeter of the base and the only two entry points are guarded checkpoints, where they inspect incoming personnel that arrive.

The grounds are often patrolled by Rhino tanks, Barracks trucks or Crusaders. The local airspace is also controlled by P-996 LAZER fighter jets which have clearance to shoot down any aircraft not authorised to pass through. Often airborne Cargobobs can be seen flying over the base.

Fort Zancudo features one main airstrip, secondary airstrip, three large hangars, several smaller hangars, a munitions depot, rows of blockhouses for the base's inhabitants, a fire and rescue station, Refinery, Air Traffic Control tower, main office, and depots for the many vehicles on-site. Outside of the fence are several water storage tanks and machinery, possibly to provide the inhabitants of the fort with their own sanitised water, in the event of an emergency.

Fort Zancudo's fleet composed mainly of standard issue military vehicles including the Rhino, Cargobob, Buzzard, P-996 LAZER, and the Titan. However, on the Warstock Cache & Carry website, there are pictures of a Patriot-based ATV and a Hunter in one of the two Fort Zancudo runways.

The soldiers stationed at Fort Zancudo are rarely seen outside of the base. However, on some occasions, a large convoy consisting of Barracks and Canis Crusaders can be seen driving along Route 1 in the west or Route 68 in the south, likely delivering supplies.

Events of Grand Theft Auto V
During the fourth Rampage, two soldiers can be seen just outside the base's southern approach. They are presumably replacing a deflated tire of their Crusader before Trevor Philips confronts them. Mocking him for a Canadian, Trevor grabs a Grenade Launcher from the nearby Barracks and loses it. During the rampage, two Rhinos are dispatched in a bid to kill Trevor but only to result in their destruction.

Events of Grand Theft Auto Online
Like in Grand Theft Auto V, Fort Zancudo is still restricted to players and the usual consequences apply to trespassers.

As of the GTA Online: Smuggler's Run update, three hangars were put up for sale for the player to start an airfreighting business, along with Ron Jakowski. This also allows for low-level access to any owner as long as they do not cause any trouble.

Restriction
Like Area 69, unauthorized entry over Fort Zancudo airspace is strictly forbidden. Fort Zancudo Air Traffic Control will issue warnings to the player via radio. If the player flies over and departs the area or fires a weapon at the area but does not hit anyone, a 2-star wanted level will be attained.

Should the player choose to continue flying over the base after the warnings, a 4-star wanted level will be attained, accompanied by P-996 LAZERs firing heat-seeking missiles and cannon. They will still warn the player if they are flying a P-996 LAZER over the base. If the player is flying low enough over the base, there will be no warning, but a wanted level will be gained if the player is spotted by someone on the ground. Alternatively, flying at high altitude may not cause the player to be warned, resulting in no wanted level.

If the player gets too close to one of the two checkpoint entrances to Fort Zancudo, the soldier on-station will warn them, if one still hangs around if they ignore the second warning then the guard will open fire and a wanted level will be issued.

If the player enters the base by ground undetected, a 4-star wanted level will be obtained shortly after being spotted by personnel. This will sound the alarm and mobilize anyone on site, whether in a vehicle or not. Even if the player acquires a military vehicle (e.g., a Rhino) and try to enter the base, they will treat it as stolen property and will open fire still.

Ground Access
If the player is on the ground, they can either drive straight through the checkpoint or go over the perimeter fence using one of the natural jumps.

In GTA Online, before the Smuggler's Run update, checkpoint gates never opened and the only way to get in by ground was to jump the fence. Now the player will still get a four-star wanted level even if they enter through a checkpoint, unless they also own a Fort Zancudo hangar.

The Mount Josiah path can be noticed by its dirt road which is less steep than the rest of the mountain. The player will usually land near the bleachers of the training grounds, although there is a chance of either landing in the large trench or on the road if the player is not fast enough. Following the release of the Import/Export update, this has been made significantly easier, as should the player own a Ruiner 2000 or Rocket Voltic, they can use the parachutes or rocket boost to ensure they make it over the fence and into the base.

Once inside Fort Zancudo, the player must act quickly and head for the runway area. If they are too slow or too reckless, they may be caught out by a patrolling Rhino Tank. Unlike previous games, the ones manned by NPCs will use their cannons on unsuspecting players. During freemode, the Rhinos are far more accurate than in missions so care must be taken around them.

Quotes
The following are heared from either ATC or stationed guards:
 * When flying over the base, ATC issues one of the following:
 * "This is restricted airspace. Divert your course or you will be shot down!"
 * "You have entered Fort Zancudo Airspace. Divert immediately!"
 * "This is U.S. Army airspace. Divert or we will take you down." (subtitles say "This is U.S. Army airspace. Divert or face the consequences." in the PS3 version)
 * "This is a no fly zone. Divert your course."
 * "You are in the Fort Zancudo no fly zone! Divert, or you will be shot down!"
 * "You are flying in restricted airspace. Turn around immediately!"
 * "Attention aircraft, this airspace is prohibited. Reverse course now."


 * When approaching one of the checkpoints, the guard on station will yell the following:
 * "Sir, leave the area now! This is for authorized personnel only!"
 * "I'm not going to say this again. Leave now!" (if the player doesn't move away)


 * When inside the base without having purchased a hangar, the following can be heard over the loudspeaker:
 * "Attention! We have an intruder on the base!"
 * "Security has been compromised. Eliminate the target immediately!"
 * "We are under attack! I repeat: we are under attack!"
 * "All units, mobilize immediately!"
 * "Any units still not mobilized, engage immediately!"
 * "This is a code red! I repeat: this is a code red!"
 * "All units authorized to use lethal force."
 * "All units, we have a confirmed security breach."


 * When flying over the base when the player owns one of the three hangars, ATC issues one of the following:
 * "Welcome to Fort Zancudo Airspace. You've got a low level access pass. Land and proceed directly to your hangar." (when flying over the base for the first time)
 * "Your clearance has been approved, make your way to the hangar."
 * "You coming into the hangar? Your access is approved."
 * "Airspace entry granted. Make your way to the hangar."
 * "Airspace access approved. Proceed to hangar."


 * When approaching one of the checkpoints, when the player owns a hangar, a radio issues one of the following:
 * "Here's the new owner of the hangar on base. Grant them access to come on through." (when approaching for the first time)
 * "They own one of the hangars, let them through."
 * "They have access to the base, let them through."
 * "This is a civilian hangar owner. Give them access to the base."
 * "This lad has civilian access. Welcome them on base."

Influence
Fort Zancudo closely resembles the real-life in. Lago Zancudo's marshy environment suggests that Fort Zancudo is also based on that of real-life, Mugu Lagoon.

Known Personnel

 * Brincat
 * Colonel
 * Clark
 * Nolan
 * Lloyd
 * Starkie
 * Solarin
 * Charlie Reed (Formerly)

Vehicles

 * Barracks - Can be found parked in several parking lots and also chasing the player once inside the base.
 * Barracks Semi - Found at the same locations as the Barracks.
 * Besra - Can be found in several hangars and areas of Fort Zancudo (PS4/XB1/PC only)
 * Buzzard - Found parked in several areas north to the runway.
 * Cargobob - Found flying around, and also sometimes on the helipads east to the runway, ready to take off.
 * Crusader - Found at the same locations as the Barracks.
 * Fire Truck - Found at the fire station.
 * P-996 LAZER - Can be found flying around, and in several hangars and areas of Fort Zancudo.
 * Rhino - Will chase the player upon entering the base and patrolling the main area.
 * Titan - Can be found parked north to the runway, in front of the hangars. Sometimes one will be on the runway and will take off, mostly at evening and midnight.

Grand Theft Auto V

 * Cargobob

Grand Theft Auto Online

 * Base Invaders
 * American Exports
 * Extradition
 * Docks to Stock
 * Docks to Stock II
 * Top Fun
 * Zancudo Survival
 * Project 4808G: Zancudo

The San Andreas Flight School Update

 * Flight School – Fort Zancudo features in the Engine Failure mission, in which the player must land a Miljet with a dual engine failure at the base without crashing.
 * Stunt - Double Loop
 * Stunt - Plummet

Import/Export

 * Arms Embargo
 * Hostile Takeover – This location can be chosen as the starting location.

Gunrunning

 * Resupply Steal Missions - may be selected at random for the location of supplies, including:
 * Rhino Tank - located in the eastern-most open hangar.
 * Ballistic Equipment - 2-player mission only. Appears in the hangar immediately on the left when entering from the northern entrance. Then requires a second player to acquire a Flatbed truck from the Base parking lot.

Smuggler's Run

 * Air Freight Cargo - If the player owns a Hangar in Fort Zancudo.

Los Santos Summer Special

 * Business Battles - UFO Battle - Only available during Halloween Week 2020.

The Cayo Perico Heist

 * Heist Prep: Alkonost

Los Santos Tuners

 * Planning Work: Tracking Device

Trivia

 * Zancudo is Spanish for a malarial mosquito.
 * Prior to update 1.28, Fort Zancudo and Los Santos International Airport were the only two areas unavailable for use in the Content Creator in Grand Theft Auto Online.
 * Inside the control tower, the computer screens show a map of the United States which slightly differs from the maps downstairs in the Training Center, especially on the West Coast. The rest of North America is absent.
 * Strangely, the in-game map on the pause menu does not show the layout of Fort Zancudo at all, instead it is just an empty space on the map. In GTA Online, however, the base layout will appear on the map when the player is inside the base or within its vicinity. The same occurs with the Bolingbroke Penitentiary.
 * At certain times of the day, bugle calls can be heard playing through the base's loudspeakers:
 * 23:00 to 23:30 -.
 * 05:30 to 05:33 -.
 * 07:00 to 22:00 -, or Cavalry calls.
 * The design of the roundels (stars) painted on the hangars are similar to be that of the defunct . This variation of the roundel was only used from 1941 to 1947; leaving the implication that the base has been active for roughly 70 years.
 * Strangely, in GTA Online, the red circle in the center of the stars are visible when viewing them from a distance, but will disappear when approaching them.
 * The large inaccessible hanger near the west entrance is now open after the release of the Heist Update, although there are no vehicles that spawn in it.
 * When Air Traffic Control says "This is U.S. Army airspace. Divert or we will take you down.", the subtitles will say "This is U.S. Army airspace. Divert or face the consequences.", instead (PS3 and PC version tested).
 * This has been fixed on the enhanced version of the game.
 * The P-996 LAZER's description on Warstock Cache & Carry states and references the tactic used by players who stole one from Fort Zancudo for the first time.
 * Its possible beta name, according to the police scanner audio, was "Kazansky Air Force Base".
 * In GTA Online, if the player owns a Hangar in the base and attempts to enter the airspace with a stolen Titan or Cargobob, they will still receive a 2-star wanted level. This is because the game gives those with access to Fort Zancudo a 2-star wanted level for stealing military vehicles, and the Titan and Cargobob are both considered military vehicles.
 * According to the Maze Bank Foreclosures website, Fort Zancudo is the biggest military base in the state.

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