South Pole Base

The South Pole Base (南極基地, Nankyoku Kichi) was a hidden Principality of Zeon installation in Antarctica that served as staging ground for the Cyclops Team during Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket. Its proximity to Federation Arctic supply routes made it a strategic launch point for covert operations late in the One Year War.

Facilities

South Pole Base contained climate-controlled mobile suit hangars capable of servicing amphibious and ground-type units, including the Hygogg machines deployed during Operation Rubicon. A subterranean logistics wing stored Minovsky weaponry, cold-weather gear, and infiltration equipment, whilst a hardened command centre linked to Zeon’s Arctic reconnaissance network provided real-time tracking of Federation convoys.

Role in Operation Rubicon

The Cyclops Team convened at South Pole Base to rehearse the assault on the Federation’s Alaska Base. Steiner Hardy briefed his squad inside the base’s briefing halls, while technicians configured Hygogg units for the amphibious strike. The base provided the launch catapult that inserted the team beneath Arctic ice, showcasing Zeon’s logistical reach even in the war’s final months.

Aftermath

Following the failed Arctic raid and Cyclops Team deployment to Side 6, the base was abandoned as Zeon retreated from Earth. Federation intelligence later documented the facility’s layout, using it as evidence of Zeon’s extensive clandestine infrastructure on the planet.

Behind the scenes

The base features prominently in the opening episode of War in the Pocket, highlighting the series’ grounded approach to military operations and the harsh conditions of Antarctic warfare.

Appearances

South Pole Base appears in Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket, anchoring the OVA’s opening act.