Quick answer there is only one military base in GTA 5, and it’s called Fort Zancudo.
Fort Zancudo is the only military base in Grand Theft Auto V and in the HD Universe so far. If you’ve been hunting for a second base somewhere, you’re not missing anything this is it.
Where Exactly Is Fort Zancudo?
The GTA V military base is marked on the map as “Lago Zancudo,” just south of the North Chumash beach and southwest of Mount Josiah, with the Lago Zancudo swamps and the town of Harmony nearby.
The tricky part? It doesn’t show up on the standard in-game map. You’ll only see it on the satellite view look for the runway tip touching the northwest shoreline.
The easiest landmark to use: find the Great Ocean Highway tunnel on the west coast, and the base sits directly above it.
What’s Inside the Base?
Fort Zancudo features one main airstrip, a secondary airstrip, three large hangars, several smaller hangars, a munitions depot, rows of blockhouses, a fire and rescue station, a refinery, an Air Traffic Control tower, and a main office.
The vehicles are the real prize. The three main reasons players raid Fort Zancudo are the P-996 LAZER fighter jet, the Rhino tank, and the Buzzard attack chopper all of which cost millions to buy legitimately in GTA Online.
Fort Zancudo’s fleet is composed mainly of standard issue military vehicles including the Rhino, Cargobob, Buzzard, P-996 LAZER, and the Titan.
What Happens When You Go In?
Don’t expect a warm welcome. Entering Fort Zancudo’s airspace by plane or helicopter will put a 2-star wanted level on the player, and a radio warning will be issued shortly after, the wanted level increases to 4 and guided missiles will be launched.
On the ground it’s even worse. If the player enters the base by ground undetected, a four-star wanted level will be obtained shortly after being spotted by personnel this sounds the alarm and mobilises anyone on site, whether in a vehicle or not.
The Three Ways to Get In
1. Drive through the checkpoint
fast bikes and supercars can sometimes slip through before guards react. High risk, low survival rate.
2. Use the highway ramp
There are conveniently placed rock formations that can serve as a ramp as you leave the highway tunnel close to Mount Chiliad at speed, this will send your car flying over the barriers and into the military base.
3. Parachute in
Fly up high and parachute onto the base. The jets will shoot down your aircraft if you linger in restricted airspace, but they’ll ignore you once you exit it and parachute down. Most experienced players use this method.
The Easy Way In GTA Online Only
If you’d rather not get shot at, buy a hangar. Since the 2017 Smugglers Run update, players have been able to buy hangars within Fort Zancudo in GTA Online if they do so, they will be granted access to the base and the military personnel will not be hostile towards the player.
Three hangars are available, ranging from around $2 million to $3.25 million on the Maze Bank Foreclosures website. Expensive, but it means free base access for life. Although, should the player attempt to steal a vehicle or fire a weapon, the soldiers will still attack.
What About the NOOSE Headquarters?
GTA 5 also has a secondary law enforcement compound worth knowing about the NOOSE HQ. The easiest way of finding the NOOSE headquarters is to travel on the highway leading out of Los Santos to the east, and taking the first exit on your left a short ways out.
The big difference from Fort Zancudo? You won’t get a wanted level for going here. Located to the east outside of the city of Los Santos, you’ll find an armed Buzzard helicopter waiting on the roof of the main building and you won’t accrue any wanted levels for accessing this location. Free Buzzard, no heat. Most players don’t know this exists.
Quick Reference
Location
Type
Wanted Level
Best Loot
Fort Zancudo
Military base
4-star instantly
P-996 LAZER, Rhino Tank, Cargobob
NOOSE HQ
Law enforcement
None
Buzzard helicopter
Bottom line
Fort Zancudo is the only true military base in GTA 5. It’s dangerous, heavily guarded, and absolutely worth raiding at least once. Just bring armour, have an exit plan, and know exactly which vehicle you’re going for before you step through that gate.
