The Heart of the Earth Federation: Jaburo
Deep within the Amazon River basin lies a massive military complex known as Jaburo, the headquarters of the Earth Federation Forces during the One Year War. This sprawling underground base spans an area of 42 square kilometers, divided into four quadrants, and is home to factories, spaceship docks, research facilities, administrative offices, and living quarters for thousands of military and civilian personnel.
A Fortress of Defense
Jaburo’s location was a closely guarded secret, with its entry points and internal layout zealously protected from both Federation and Zeon strategists. The base was considered impervious to conventional assaults, with numerous concealed and fortified entry gates for ground vehicles, boats, aircraft, mobile suits, and spacecraft. The surface above was dotted with camouflaged anti-aircraft batteries and monitoring posts, making it a formidable fortress.
A History of Conflict
Jaburo was a frequent target for Zeon military operations, including Operation British, which attempted to drop a space colony on the continent to wipe out the Federation leadership. Although the attempt failed, Zeon continued to plan and execute numerous assaults on the base, including Char Aznable’s famous raid. The battle ultimately proved devastating for the Zeon forces, as they faced a hailstorm of anti-aircraft artillery, mines, and entrenched positions.
Beyond the One Year War
Jaburo played a significant role in the Gryps War, where AEUG forces led by Quattro Bajeena attacked the complex, only to be met with a nuclear bomb trap set by the Titans. Despite the destruction, portions of the base remained functional years later. In the Regild Century era, the ruins of Jaburo would become a battleground once more, with Bellri Zenam and Luin Lee clashing amidst the fossilized remains of Z’Goks from the invasion ages prior.
In Popular Culture
Jaburo has appeared in various forms of media, including anime, illustrations, and video games. In Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, the base is destroyed in a dramatic sequence, while in Gundam Build Fighters, Jaburo Field serves as a battlefield and training facility. The base has also been featured in Mobile Ops: The One Year War and other games.
Trivia and Notes
- Building an underground base in the Amazon basin would be extremely impractical due to the soft clay and sand deposits.
- Jaburo’s name might be a corruption of Japura, a river within the Amazon basin, or named after the Jabiru bird native to the region.
- The JOSH-A base in Mobile Suit Gundam SEED shares similarities with Jaburo.
- Rostroulan in Mobile Suit Gundam AGE resembles Jaburo in many aspects.
Appearances
- Mobile Suit Gundam
- Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam
- Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team
- Mobile Suit Gundam Aggressor
- Mobile Suit Gundam: Federation vs. Zeon
- Mobile Ops: The One Year War
- Dynasty Warriors: Gundam
- Gundam Build Fighters
- Reconguista in G
- Mobile Suit Gundam AGE
References
- Mobile Suit Gundam Aggressor Chapter 31
- Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team
- Mobile Suit Gundam Aggressor
- Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam Episode 12, The Winds of Jaburo
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