The San Hieronymo Peninsula (Russian: Cан Иеронимо, literally Tome Jerónimo or San Jerónimo in Spanish), also known as La Peninsula de los Muertos (The Peninsula of the Dead), was the site of a top-secret Soviet missile base, located on the central Colombian coast.

Contents 1 History 1.1 Background 1.2 San Hieronymo Takeover 2 Geography 3 Base layout 3.1 Locations 4 Fauna 5 Missile base personnel (as of late 1970) 5.1 Soviet military 5.2 Scientists and engineers 5.3 FOX unit 5.4 U.S. government officials 5.5 Prisoners 6 Military resources (as of late 1970) 6.1 Vehicles 6.2 Weapons 6.3 Equipment 7 Behind the scenes 8 Appearances 9 Notes and references

HistoryEdit

BackgroundEdit

The name "San Hieronymo" is a mixture of Spanish and Russian, "San" being the Spanish word for "saint," and "Hieronymo" being a Russian transliteration of "Jerónimo."

The San Hieronymo Peninsula was utilized at some point prior to 1964 by either Spanish settlers or the Colombian government, where they established a fortress in a portion of the western half of the peninsula. The fortress lay in ruin by the time the Soviets acquired it.

The missile base was constructed in 1964, two years after the Soviets were forced to withdraw from Cuba for intermediate-range ballistic missiles during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The Soviet Union had gotten the peninsula from the FARC, Colombia's biggest guerrilla organization in exchange for the Soviet Union's aid in supplying FARC with weapons as well as taking down the Colombian regime at the time. The Pentagon was also suspected to have anticipated that the Soviets would relocate to the San Hieronymo Peninsula since at least after the Cuban Missile Crisis. In the CIA's case, it was also suspected that they did anticipate that they would relocate even before the Cuban Missile Crisis happened, but they withheld the information from the rest of the government with the intention of using this knowledge in an under-the-table negotiation with the Soviets at a later time.^[1]

The various personnel within the base endured much suffering during its construction, due to the oppressive climate, poor food supplies, and lack of contact with friends and loved ones because of the secrecy of their mission. Many personnel died from either disease or battle with the Colombian government alongside FARC. Despite this, they pressed on with their mission, solely due to their belief that their efforts would greatly benefit Russia.^[2] However, the Soviet Union again withdrew their plans, at the end of the 1960s, when international tensions began to ease, and many soldiers and personnel were forced to remain stationed there, with only one missile silo ever being completed. In addition, the Soviet government, to ensure they didn't get blamed in the event that it ended up discovered, also cut off communication lines and supply routes via sea to the base, in order to make it seem as though the soldiers and personnel had simply gone renegade. The only time that the Red Army even visited the Peninsula after withdrawing their plans was when they were to deliver discharged personnel.^[3]

San Hieronymo TakeoverEdit

Main Article

In 1970, the FOX unit seized the compound and took control of most of its personnel in an attempt to gain a hold of military secrets stored there. They also modified the silo to accommodate a booster rocket for another weapon that they stole, a CIA weapon derived from Granin's blueprints known as the ICBMG. The Soviet personnel, including Jonathan, ultimately didn't care if FOX took over, as they bore a grudge against the Soviet government for their earlier betrayal, and were also sold with Gene's concept of Army's Heaven. When intelligence indicated that the base on the peninsula was resuming construction, several Green Berets, upon being briefed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, were also dispatched to investigate, but they ended up ambushed by the FOX unit, with all but one member of the unit wiped out, as well as imprisoning the sole surviving member of the unit, Roy Campbell. Eventually, some soldiers defected to Naked Snake's side and managed to halt Gene's plan of launching the ICBMG. The fate of the peninsula is never mentioned, although the story covering up what really happened at the peninsula indicated that Naked Snake took down the Soviet Missile Base.^[4]

GeographyEdit

The exact topography of the peninsula is classified top-secret by CIA files due to its strategic value. However, the fact that the hospital and research laboratory was located in a mountainous environment, as well as the Communications base and Soviet patrol base being located around the mountains and various soldiers experiencing hangovers that were amplified due to the elevation^[5] indicates that it is mostly mountainous. The Peninsula is also split into two by a river, of which the only way to cross the west portion of the peninsula and the east portion is via a rail bridge. It also contains a very deep ravine towards the eastern half of the peninsula, acting as a natural boundary for both the base's power substation and the missile silo complex itself. The western wilderness also contains various fields.

Base layoutEdit

The peninsula had a prison located near the northmost coast of the Western half of the peninsula. In addition, a communications base was located 5 kilometers southeast of the prison. Southwest from that was a Supply Depot. A significant distance away from the coast, nearing the border of the peninsula was a Soviet patrol base. To the east and slightly north of the patrol base was a hospital. North of the hospital was the research laboratory. A town was located to the northeast, and a railbridge was a short distance north. At the center of the Western peninsula was the Western Wilderness. On the Eastern half of the peninsula, on the western shore, there was a harbor. A security base was located a short distance southeast from the railbridge. Near the southern border, on the Eastern Half, was a warhead storage facility. Near the fork of the river that divides the peninsula in two was the airport. A guest house was close to the eastern shores of the main cliffside of the eastern half. A production plant was located to the southeast of the guest house. A ravine was to the south of the plant, with a power substation being near the northern part of the crevasse. To the east of the ravine was the main missile silo of the peninsula.

Locations Edit

• Prison

• Comm Base
• Supply Depot
• Soviet Patrol Base
• Hospital
• Research Lab
• Town
• Western Wilderness
• Rail Bridge
• Harbor
• Security Base
• Warhead Storage
• Airport
• Guest House
• Plant
• Ravine
• Power Substation
• Silo

FaunaEdit

The animals present on the Peninsula are various colorful birds and reptiles, many of which are poisonous due to their colorful appearance.^[6]

Missile base personnel (as of late 1970)Edit

Soviet military Edit

See also: Soviet officers

The Soviet soldiers and officers were former members of the Red Army who participated in the top secret mission of developing a Soviet missile base on the San Hieronymo Peninsula. They helped FARC try to overthrow the current Colombian regime, losing several of their men in the process. When the Soviet government experienced a policy shift, they were abandoned by the Soviets when they cancelled the construction of the San Hieronymo missile base, specifically to make it seem as though various soldiers went renegade and built the missile base without the Soviets knowledge or consent should it ever be discovered. Because of this, they ended up serving Gene. The female officers used to work at desk jobs, but after FOX took over, they were put to the task of securing the base.

The soldiers wore balaclavas and a brown camo uniform. Some of them wore ammunition magazine vests.

• Colonel Skowronski (former commander)
• Private 1st Class Jonathan

Scientists and engineersEdit

See also: Soviet scientists and Soviet engineers

Russian scientists who were brought to the San Hieronymo Peninsula to develop the various nuclear armaments and weapons on the peninsula, and to provide medical support to the Soviet troops. After the Soviets relinquished control over the Peninsula after Détente and a shift in policy, they became stranded and ceased their research. Their stock of medicine also dwindling due to the Soviets cutting off supplies. However, due to Gene's FOX unit taking over the peninsula, the scientists were given the task of monitoring the culture tank of the Perfect Soldier, Null, and maintaining him, and they managed to retrieve their medical supplies.

Russian engineers who were tasked with repairing and maintaining various equipment on the San Hieronymo Peninsula. They weren't negatively impacted by the Soviet's withdrawal from the peninsula, as they still managed to do their duty. However, after the FOX unit took over the peninsula, the engineers were also tasked with maintaining the ICBMG.

The male scientists wore white lab coats with ID badges and the marking "мч" on the left sleeve and front left pocket, with brown pants and a white shirt and red tie. Female scientists wore white lab coats with a pink or gray blouse underneath. The engineers wore blue uniforms.

• Nikolai Stepanovich Sokolov (Metal Gear engineer)

FOX unitEdit

See main article

Under the leadership of Gene, the FOX unit took over the chain of command at the San Hieronymo Peninsula and reorganized various positions. They mostly guard high security areas, with some also acting as direct supervisors over the Soviet personnel.

• Commander Gene (usurper commander)
• Lieutenant Cunningham (interrogation specialist)
• Elisa/Ursula (medical chief/second-in-command)
• Python
• Null

U.S. government officialsEdit

See main article

U.S. officials who aided the FOX unit in stealing the ICBMG and Metal Gear RAXA as well as taking over the peninsula. They were eventually betrayed by Gene, and were either in hiding, imprisoned, or being escorted. Wore black suits and ties.

PrisonersEdit

A variety of the soldiers were imprisoned on San Hieronymo for a variety of reasons, many of which deal with rebelling against his/her superiors, as well as due to homesickness and low morale. A few of the prisoners were also sealed up with even the key being thrown out. At least one prisoner was also an exile from the Soviet Union.

• Major Ivan Raidenovitch Raikov (GRU prisoner)

Military resources (as of late 1970)Edit

VehiclesEdit

• Transport tanker (1)
• Ural-4320 hooded transport truck (approximately 13)
  • Two stolen by Big Boss's resistance, five destroyed
• Hind A helicopters (at least seven)
• ICBMG
• Metal Gear RAXA
• Cunningham's flying platform
• Highway freight rig transport trucks^[7]

WeaponsEdit

See main article

• Mk22
• M1911A1
• Colt Single Action Army
• MAC-10
• Uzi
• Scorpion
• AK-47
• M16A1
• XM177E2
• SVD
• Mosin Nagant
• Ithaca M37
• M870
• M63
• RPG-7
• RGD-5 grenade
• Stun grenade
• Smoke grenade
• Chaff grenade
• GA-KO
• Magazine
• TNT
• Shield
• Survival knife
• Spetsnaz knife
• Land mines
• Gun camera

EquipmentEdit

See main article

• Key A
• Key C
• Key E
• Cardboard box
• Binoculars
• Thermal goggles
• NVG
• Mine detector
• Medical kits
• Rations
• Pentazemin
• Radio
• Infrared sensors
• Fire extinguishers
• Fuel drums

Behind the scenesEdit

The San Hieronymo Peninsula is the setting of Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops and Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus.

One of the missions for the European version had the player rescuing a KGB soldier from the prison. It is unknown, however, if the KGB was actually involved in the events of the San Hieronymo Takeover or with the development of the San Hieronymo Peninsula base.

During gameplay, the various personnel types react differently upon discovering an intruder. For instance, if a scientist (both genders), an engineer, or government official discovers Snake's presence, they will flee with their hands on their heads, scream, and/or make distressed sentences, and when up close, will flinch and fidgit their arms. Likewise, personnel such as Soviet soldiers, officers (both genders) and FOX soldiers will attempt to fight Snake. Also, the soldiers have different ways of knocking down an opponent in close combat, depending on the gender: the male soldiers and officers will usually knock the intruder down by slashing them with a survival knife, while the female officers will usually knock down the intruder by kneeing them in the groin.

In Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus, in addition to the above personnel, female variants of the Soviet soldiers are also present. Their voiced grunts when choked, hit, or knocked out are revoiced, but the overall dialogue are reused voice clips of the female Soviet officers. Unlike their male counterparts, they lack a balaclava, and have brown, black, or blond hair. In addition, they also sometimes remove their brown jacket uniforms, citing it as either having it laundered, lost, or thrown away. The jacketless varieties bear some resemblance to Olga Gurlukovich.

"A soldier in the Soviet Army, sent to the San Hieronymo Peninsula on a top-secret mission. A shift in policy led his government to abandon him, leaving he and his fellow soldiers stranded. Wears his shirt sleeves rolled up."

— USSR male soldier A description in Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus

"A soldier in the Soviet Army, sent to the San Hieronymo Peninsula on a top-secret mission. A policy shift caused his government to abandon him, and he and his comrades are now stranded. Doesn't wear his shirt sleeves rolled up."

— USSR male soldier B description in Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus

"A soldier in the Soviet Army, sent to the San Hieronymo Peninsula on a top-secret mission. A shift in policy caused his government to abandon him, and he and his fellow soldiers are now stranded. Wears a magazine vest, and his shirt sleeves rolled up."

— USSR male soldier C description in Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus

"A soldier in the Soviet Army, sent to the San Hieronymo Peninsula on a top-secret mission. A policy shift saw his government's abandoning him and his fellow soldiers, leaving them stranded far from home. Wears a magazine vest, but hates having his shirt sleeves rolled up."

— USSR male soldier D description in Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus

"A female soldier in the Soviet Army, sent to the San Hieronymo Peninsula on a top-secret mission. A shift in policy caused her government to abandon her, leaving she and her fellow soldiers stranded. An bookworm."

— USSR female soldier A description in Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus

"A female soldier in the Soviet Army, sent to the San Hieronymo Peninsula on a top-secret mission. A shift in policy caused her government to abandon her, stranding she and her fellow soldiers. Loves animals."

— USSR female soldier B description in Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus

"A female soldier in the Soviet Army, sent to the San Hieronymo Peninsula on a top secret mission. A policy shift caused her government to abandon her, and she and her fellow soldiers are now stranded. Refuses to show her forehead."

— USSR female soldier C description in Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus

"A female soldier in the Soviet Army, sent to the San Hieronymo Peninsula on a top-secret mission. A shift in policy caused her government to abandon her, and she and her fellow soldiers are now stranded. Her jacket is in the laundry."

— USSR female soldier D description in Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus

"A female soldier in the Soviet Army, sent to the San Hieronymo Peninsula on a top-secret mission. A shift in policy caused her government to abandon her, leaving she and her fellow soldiers stranded. She's misplaced her jacket."

— USSR female soldier E description in Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus

"A female soldier in the Soviet Army, sent to the San Hieronymo Peninsula on a top-secret mission. A shift in policy caused her government to abandon her, and now she and her fellow soldiers are stranded. She threw away her jacket."

— USSR female soldier F description in Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus

AppearancesEdit

• Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops

• Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus (non-canon)

• Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (cutscene montage only)

• Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (mentioned only/Online mode only)

Notes and references Edit

1. ^ Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops radio conversations
   Roy Campbell: ...Truth is, the Pentagon suspected the Soviets might have a base here on the peninsula even before the FOX Unit went rogue. FARC is an insurgent group inspired by the Cuban Revolution, and they're rumored to receive aid from the Soviet Union. When the Soviets gave up on building a missile base in the Carribean after the Cuban Missile Crisis in '62, chances were very good they'd look to San Hieronymo as their next target. The CIA probably knew what was going on even before that, but it seems they kept the information to themselves so they could use it in an under-the-table deal with the Soviets later on.
2. ^ Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, Kojima Productions (2006)
   Jonathan: We have stood guard over this god-forsaken base, unable to reach our friends and loved ones because of the secrecy of our mission. The climate was brutal. The meals were meager. We watched as our comrades succumbed to disease, or died fighting the Columbian government. And still we went on carrying out our mission, believing our efforts were all for the good of the motherland!
3. ^ Major Raikov was apparently exiled to the peninsula after they had abandoned it, given Roy Campbell's deduction of why he was there.
4. ^ Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, Kojima Productions (2006)
   Roy Campbell: So I hear they did a cover-up job on FOX's rebellion? // Naked Snake: ...Yeah. They're saying I was sent out to take down a Soviet Missile base... That's it. // Campbell: Can't say I blame them. After all, how do you share the news that the U.S. homeland was facing nuclear attack? Don't beat yourself up over this, Snake. You did your country a great service. You deserve that medal. No one knows that better than you and I. // Snake: Yeah...
5. ^ Para-Medic indicates this was the case in a radio conversation with some of Snake's soldiers, should she be recruited
6. ^ Snake tells Sigint this in a radio conversation until Sigint explained that he meant UMAs, should Sigint be recruited.
7. ^ Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, Kojima Productions (2006)
   Implied in revisits to the supply depot, where a highway freight rig without a truck was parked in front of the facility.

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