Silo (San Hieronymo Peninsula)



The missile silo on the San Hieronymo Peninsula was a secret ICBM launch facility, built by the Soviet Union during the height of the Cold War.

Facilities
The silo itself was an underground vertical cylindrical container for the storage and launching of ICBMs, protected by a large "blast door" on top, and connected to the launch control center. The interior of the complex had both magnetic and radio frequency-locked doors, along with gun cameras monitoring various areas. The external entrance to the complex was an indestructable gate that utilized an electromagnetic lock system. Launch operations for ICBMs would be conducted and supervised from the launch control room, which was also equipped with a lock-down protocol to prevent tampering, once a warhead had been primed for launch.

Construction
There was originally intended to be several missile launch silos on the peninsula base, though only one had been successfully completed after construction plans were abandoned. The silo was built deep underground, making it difficult to identify by spy plane or satellite imaging. In addition, the complex was built in such a way that it could withstand a near-direct nuclear attack if its location was ever discovered.



In 1970, the silo was modified to accomodate the booster rocket of the Intercontinental Ballistic Metal Gear. Naked Snake's resistance group infiltrated the silo complex in order to locate Metal Gear and destroy it before renegade FOX commander Gene could launch it.

While investigating the silo entrance, Naked Snake's presence was discovered and the "Perfect Soldier" Null was dispatched to take him into custody. Shortly after surviving the encounter, Snake was captured by FOX Lieutenant Cunningham. Shortly after Snake's capture, the resistance learned that a Soviet officer in charge of the Silo Entrance may have knowledge of Snake's whereabouts, so they arrived to interrogate the officer. Snake was eventually rescued by his comrades, and the group managed to gain access to the silo complex by destroying the switchboard of a nearby power substation, in order to disable the locks on the gate at the entrance.

After bypassing the many radio-locked doors, gun cameras, and patrolling FOX soldiers, Snake reached a cargo elevator, which he used to travel down to the silo itself. Before reaching his destination however, Snake was confronted by Cunningham, but he was defeated in battle with Snake, and was subsequently killed by the explosion from his damaged flying platform.

Gene attempted to use the launch control room to fire Metal Gear into the U.S., in his plan to weaken the Philosophers. Prior to the lauch, Metal Gear engineers had been making final preparations in the area, but they all committed suicide after despairing of their crimes, thanks to Gene's "suggestions." Snake confronted Gene in a back-up launch room, after the primary control panel was destoyed by Elisa/Ursula, and ultimately defeated him. However, Snake was unable to stop the countdown to the launch and was forced to fire on Metal Gear directly, which was attached to the top of the warhead, using an RPG.

Behind the scenes
The Silo Entrance, Silo Complex, and Launch Control Room, are three seperate areas featured in Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, which are all part of the missile silo facility.

In some cases, the Launch Control Room can be used as a stage in the Infinity Missions of Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus. At least one use of the stage is where the character has to defeat a room of excercising/dancing female soldiers.

Silo Sunset, one of the playable maps in Metal Gear Online, is based on the Silo Entrance area.

Personnel

 * FOX soldiers
 * Soviet officer (at least one)

Soldiers' equipment

 * M870 (FOX soldiers)
 * RPG-7

Shortcut
There is a tunnel between the two pits in this area. Using the route gets you past a lot of patrols (especially the one on behind the crates near the railing you drop off). Climb the stairs by the first pit. Flip over the railings and then drop down. slide along them until you can drop onto the crate by the tunnel entrance.

Investigate the silo entrance
"We're 99% sure the ICBMG has been transported to that ballistic missile launch facility. Now's our chance to pinpoint its exact location. So do a full sweep of the area and try to find the entrance to the underground complex. Stay on your toes."

- Roy Campbell

It is recommended that you use a FOX soldier. If you want to take the long way to the Checkpoint, climb the stairs, and be sure to take care of the FOX soldier behind the crate, as he will get suspicious even though you have the same uniform. The best way to do it is keep using the 3 hit combo or CQC on him. After he is taken care of, walk down the stairs and if you are careful on your way to the checkpoint, you won't get detected by other FOX soldiers.

"Perfect Soldier Located"
"A cargo truck has been sighted delivering a large piece of equipment. Judging by the packaging of the equipment, we believe it may be the culture tank. The perfect soldier may also be housed inside the tank. Exercise extreme caution."

- Spy report from the silo entrance

Boss: Null


Null may be a hard or challenging boss to new gamers, due to having strong offensive and defensive capabilities. His main attack is his UZI, which he will shoot if the player is in front of him and at a distance. If the player is directly close to him, he will use his machete, and it is not advised to use ANY 3-hit combos or CQC on him. Not only will CQC not work on him, the 3-hit combo will rarely hit him, if not at all. He also will also do a charge and slash move on you (you will know when his standing where he is and locking on to you). He will also do a jump and slash move, and you must move out of the way in order to get out unscathed. The best ways to beat null (lethally or non-lethally) are being agile and using the right weapons (Knife and Spetsnaz knives are not reccomended). After doing his 3 round burst of machine gun fire, he will reload. When he does, SHOOT HIM RIGHT WHEN HE REPLACES HIS CLIP. If you don't he will continue to block your attacks. You should also shoot him when his back is turned (i.e; when he is running away, or after doing his jump attack). Shotguns (M780, M37) work great in this battle. It is also possible to snipe him, as it could deal considerable damage. As long as you keep in mind when and how to attack and when to dodge, you should have no trouble beating him.

"High Ranking Officer Sighted"
"We believe that a high-ranking officer commands the security units at the entrance to the nuclear launch silo. This person appears to be responsible for any incidents occurring in the vicinity."

- Spy report from the silo entrance

Before taking the shortcut, go near the ramp and tranq the guard on the bottom and the guard on the railing. After that, go to the railing, and take the shortcut. You will then see the high ranking officer. Get him while his back is turned, and CQC him, then interrogate him on Snake's whereabouts. Keep in mind that you will fail the mission if you kill him.

"Technical Document Obtained"
We have obtained a technical document believed to be structural diagram of the gate leading from the entrance of the nuclear launch silo to the underground silo complex.

"Details on Silo"
"We have obtained information regarding the basic structure of the nuclear launch silo. The silo complex is roughly divided into three sections: 1. Exterior (Entrance); 2. Interior (Freight Elevator); 3. The Silo Itself"

- Spy report from the silo entrance

Procure the Saturn V blueprints
See Nikolai Stephanovich Sokolov

All you need to do is go towards the area that leads up to the Silo Complex, and then go near the building right next to the entrance (the one that acts as the right side of the connecting bridge above facing the wall.). If you got the frequency from one of the LYNX soldiers at the Power Substation, you should see a locked door. Input the frequency (145.61) and then enter and collect the Secret Doc item and collect the Saturn V blueprints.

Weapons

 * RPG-7
 * Opposite the entrance tunnel (where the battle with null starts) is a ladder. it goes to a walkway with an RPG-7 on it. Watch out there is an RPG armed guard there.

Equipment

 * Documents (Saturn V/ICBMG rocket booster)

Personnel

 * FOX soldiers (can only be recruited in Portable Ops Plus)

Story mission
"You're one last push away from Metal Gear. We don't know the exact route to get into the Metal Gear launch silo, but it must be connected to the underground complex somewhere. Keep going, and look for a way into the silo. It's all riding on you. Good luck."

- Roy Campbell

It is recommended that a FOX soldier be used for this mission, since they are deployed exclusively in this area. Most of them are armed with M870 shotguns so avoid getting into a firefight with them. Ensure that the player character has a free slot in their inventory for procuring an extra item. Having chaff may also be useful, although it can be picked up during the mission.

After heading up the stairs, proceed north. There is a pillar ahead, with a surveillance camera mounted on its west side, so bypass it on the pillar's east side. There is a door to the east that requires a key to open and a guard will be patrolling nearby. Turn west and to see another guard on patrol, who can evaded or knocked unconscious out of view of the other guard. The other soldier can then be incapacitated if necessary. Near where the second guard was patrolling, there is a door leading to a warehouse. By rolling across the gaps between the crates, KEY A can be procured for unlocking the previous door. If the player character falls to the ground floor, there is a ladder in the corner near the entrance. Head out to the locked door and use the key to open it.

From the door head north. To the west there is a guard and further along another locked door. If you knock-out the guard there is a radio frequency written on the wall behind him that unlocks the door. Proceed to the next area, where another guard is on patrol. If he is interrogateed, he will reveal that he left the frequency somewhere up high. Use the frequency written on the ceiling nearby to unlock the next door. Further on, there will be a room with gun cameras protecting the doors. Climb up onto the nearby crates to find chaff. Disable the cameras with the chaff and go into the room with the guard in the corner. If he is startled, he will have to be thrown down with CQC and knocked out. A partial radio frequency is written on the reverse side of a window, which unlocks the door.

Go along the walkway and there is a room at the end of it with KEY B in the corner. There is also a hidden gun camea, so use some chaff or shoot it from a distance. Head back to the walkway and drop down to the one below. Proceed to the next door to exit the area.



Boss: Cunningham
While travelling on the cargo elevator, Lt. Cunningham will attack on his flying platform. He will use four attacks: missiles; machine gun; and trip mines. Avoid these attacks and use a powerful weapon (e.g. the M63 machine gun) to bring his platform down to the player character's level. He can then be either non-lethally defeated or killed, by depleting his health or stamina, respectively. If he is fought before January 1st, 1971, defeating him non-lethally will allow him to become a playable character in the next playthrough.

Boss: Gene


Gene is a fairly easy boss, as long as you have the right equipment. Make sure you pack your stun grenades, rations (preferably Ration L), medical kits (S or L will suffice), and the M870 shotgun for a lethal kill. For non-lethal kills, use your Mk.22. Gene will start the battle using his voice. His voice will drain a LARGE portion of your stamina. To stop this attack shoot Gene with whatever weapon you have at your disposal. His main attacks are throwing knives (his knives will be thrown at you in the same pattern as Python's main M16 attack). When it looks like he will start throwing a knife, shoot him RIGHT WHEN HE STARTS GOING INTO HIS THROWING POSITION. If timed right, he will not throw any knives and take damage. His other attack includes him charging at you, and if he does make contact with you, it will take a huge portion of your health. When he is glowing yellow, get out of his way by rolling or run up the stairs. He will pause for a few seconds, and when he does, it is the best time to attack him. He will also use his voice again, but you can easily end the attack the same way you did in the beginning. As long as you know Gene's attacks and weaknesses, he might be one of the easiest bosses in the game.

If Gene is defeated non-lethally (using the Mk.22, Stun Grenade, or the Mosin Nagant), he will become a playable character in the next playthrough, though only if 200 soldiers have already been recruited by the player.