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Fort Zancudo is a U.S. military installation 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[]

FortZancudoSatellite

Satellite image of Fort Zancudo and surrounding areas

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 the base’s runway via a 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 United States Marine Corps are also stationed at the base, as suggested by the base's inhabitants yelling "Semper Fi 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 Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform by cut and the Army Combat Uniform by appearance, the standard uniforms of the United States Marine Corps and the United States Army. However, the Marines' wear a tan vest resembling the Modular Tactical Vest 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 Online in 2013[]

In 2013, the GTA Online Protagonist steals Cargobobs from Fort Zancudo a total of four times. In one instance, the player is doing jobs for Trevor Philips and his company, Trevor Philips Enterprises. Trevor's friend Ron Jakowski instructs the player to steal a Cargobob from Fort Zancudo to use in the company fleet. The player flies to the base with a Velum. They then parachute in, destroy three LAZERs to prevent them from following, and steal the Cargobob.

In the second instance, Lester Crest informs the player about a shipping container at the Los Santos International Airport full of weapons being sent to Africa. The player steals a Cargobob from Fort Zancudo to lift up the container. The third and fourth instances are nearly identical to the second. The player steals a Cargobob from Fort Zancudo to grab containers full of weapons belonging to Merryweather Security.

Events of Grand Theft Auto V[]

In 2013 two soldiers are outside the base's southern approach presumably replacing a deflated tire of their Crusader. They are confronted by Trevor Philips and begin mocking him for being a Canadian. Trevor then grabs a Grenade Launcher from a nearby Barracks and the two soldiers run as backup arrives to attack Trevor. During the rampage, two Rhinos are dispatched in a bid to kill Trevor but only to result in their destruction.

Eventually, as Trevor plans to steal an experimental superweapon from Merryweather Security, he choses from two options on how to steal it. If he picks the offshore approach, he enters Fort Zancudo to steal a Cargobob for the heist.

Afterwards, as Trevor trails a Merryweather Security Cargo Plane in a Duster, he is instructed by Ron Jakowski to avoid Fort Zancudo as he flies by it. After he hijacks the plane, as Trevor plans to land it at McKenzie Field, two LAZERs begin following him and order the cargo plane to be landed at Fort Zancudo. Trevor ignores the pilots, who proceed to shoot the plane down, causing Trevor to bail with a Parachute and the plane to crash land in the Alamo Sea. Some time after, soldiers, cargobobs, and tanks are sent from Fort Zancudo to stop a group consisting of Trevor, Michael De Santa, Franklin Clinton and another gunman, from robbing the Blaine County Savings Bank. As the group escapes in the scoop of a Dozer, the military attempts to kill the robbers, but are unsuccessful.

Events of Grand Theft Auto Online after Grand Theft Auto V[]

In 2017, three Hangars are put up for sale. If the player chooses to buy one, they are able to freely access the base. When they enter the hangar for the first time, they meet with Ron Jakowski who helps them set up an airfreighting business.

Restriction[]

FortZancudo-GTAV-barracks

The main barracks of Fort Zancudo

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 heard from either ATC, the loudspeaker, or stationed guards:

  • When flying over the base without having purchased a hanger, 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 without having purchased a hangar, 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 having purchased a hangar, 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 having purchased 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."
  • While not in the base with a wanted level, the following can be heard over the loudspeaker:
    • "Ten-hut! You will refer to me as sir!"
    • "Are you laying on break? I'm going to fight a war with you pussies."
    • "I don't want any funny business in the showers, got it?"
    • "Keep it moving, ladies!"
    • "I won't ask, you won't tell. Got it?"
    • "Come on! Double time! Let's go!"
    • "Atten-shun!"
    • "Give me twenty pushups for being an asshole!"
    • "You're in the military now, boys! You hear me?"
    • "You will most likely die for your country with honor!"
    • "Forward face!"
    • "Private, you know how to tie your shoes?"
    • "You belong to Uncle Sam!"
    • "Come on, fatso! Keep it moving!"
    • "Right face!"
    • "Open right!"
    • "One, two, three, four!"
    • "I don't care who you knocked up at home. You're Uncle Sam's bitch, now."

Influence[]

Fort Zancudo closely resembles the real-life Vandenberg Space Force Base[1] in Lompoc, California. Lago Zancudo's marshy environment suggests that Fort Zancudo is also based on that of real-life Naval Base Ventura County, Mugu Lagoon.

Known Personnel[]

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.

Prominent Appearances in Missions[]

Grand Theft Auto V[]

Grand Theft Auto Online[]

The San Andreas Flight School Update[]

Import/Export[]

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[]

Los Santos Summer Special[]

The Cayo Perico Heist[]

Los Santos Tuners[]

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

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  • Zancudo is Spanish for a malarial mosquito, so the name of the base would literally translate as "Fort 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:
  • The design of the roundels (blue circles with stars inside) painted on the hangars are similar to be that of the defunct United States Army Air Forces. 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).[2]
    • 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.
  • If Trevor flies over Fort Zancudo in Minor Turbulence, the two LAZERs that shoot down Trevor later in the mission take off from the base and shoot down the duster, causing a mission failure.

References[]

Navigation[]

Navigation
[ ve ]Neighborhoods, districts and areas in Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online
Los Santos County
Los Santos
DowntownPillbox Hill | Mission Row | Textile City | Legion Square
VinewoodDowntown Vinewood | East Vinewood (Mirror Park | Mirror Park Railyard | Vinewood Racetrack) | West Vinewood | Alta | Hawick
South Los SantosDavisI.C. | Strawberry | Chamberlain Hills | Rancho
Port of South Los SantosBanning | Elysian Island | Terminal
East Los SantosLa Mesa | Cypress Flats | El Burro Heights | Murrieta Heights
VespucciVespucci Beach | Vespucci Canals | Puerto Del Sol
Backlot City / Richards Majestic | Del PerroI.C. (Del Perro Beach) | La Puerta (Maze Bank Arena) | Little Seoul | Los Santos International Airport | Morningwood | Pacific Bluffs (Kortz Center) | Richman (GWC and Golfing Society) | Rockford HillsI.C. (Burton)
Vinewood Hills (Galileo Observatory | Galileo Park | Lake Vinewood | Lake Vinewood Estates | Richman Glen | Sisyphus Theater | Vinewood Bowl) | Banham Canyon | Banham Canyon Drive* | Chumash | Tongva Hills (Marlowe Vineyards) | Tongva Valley | Great Chaparral (Baytree Canyon) | Tataviam Mountains (Land Act Dam* | Land Act Reservoir) | Palomino Highlands (N.O.O.S.E)
Grand Senora DesertBolingbroke Penitentiary | Redwood Lights Track
San Chianski Mountain RangeRON Alternates Wind Farm | Palmer-Taylor Power Station
Blaine County
Grand Senora DesertSenora National Park | Thomson Scrapyard
San Chianski Mountain RangeHumane Labs and Research | Davis Quartz
Paleto Bay (North Point | Procopio Beach) | Paleto Forest | Paleto Cove | Dignity Village | Harmony | Sandy Shores | Mount Josiah (Zancudo River | Stab City) | Lago Zancudo | Fort Zancudo | North Chumash | Raton Canyon (Cassidy Creek | Calafia Bridge*) | Chiliad Mountain State Wilderness (Altruist Camp) | Cape Catfish | Alamo Sea | Grapeseed | Mount Gordo (El Gordo Lighthouse | Heart Attacks Beach) | Braddock Pass | Mount Chiliad (Galilee | Launch Facility)
North Yankton
LudendorffBobcat Security Depot | Ludendorff Church and Cemetery
Cayo Perico
Entry PointsEl Rubio's Compound
Infiltration PointsAirstrip | West Beach | Main Dock | North Dock | North Drop Zone | South Drop Zone | Drainage Tunnel
Escape PointsAirstrip | Main Dock | North Dock
Other LocationsCrop Fields | Control Tower | Lighthouse | Communications Tower | Solar Farm | Graveyard | Fishing Jetty | Campsite | Power Station | Primitive Shelter | Ritual Hut | Torture Cage
GTA V exclusive locations | GTA Online exclusive locations
* denotes roads that are also marked as neighborhoods in the HUD.
† denotes neighborhoods in which their names are not displayed on the HUD, but are mentioned on the official map.
I.C. denotes incorporated cities in the County of Los Santos.
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