Military base

The United Nations Space Command makes extensive use of military bases. They are often flexible, using various designs, terrain, and functions in their setup, allowing their occupants the best degree of flexibility possible. Incorporating existing and specialty equipment, ranging from old 20th Century bunkers to Forerunner mesas, to repurposed Colony Starter units, there are many different types.

Structure
Typically, UNSC Bases incorporate facilities for storage of weapons, ammunition and equipment, as well as barrack facilities for the personnel that staff it. They are often equipped with heavy defenses, such as autocannons to fend off assaults from Covenant air and ground forces. Normally, arrangements are made for the storage of vehicles for transport and combat, such as Warthogs, allowing fast transport to and from the base. Facilities for aircraft, such as Pelican dropships and Sparrowhawk gunships, are standard and, indeed, vital for the bases survival, allowing response to aerial threats, such as Banshees.

Since at least November 2552, the UNSC has used energy shielding, reverse-engineered from Covenant technology, to protect generators in their bases, such as Crow's Nest.

Hazards
Because of their stationary nature, the fact that UNSC bases do not move means that they make a promising option for Covenant assault by either ground or air forces, as well as making an easy target for Wraith artillery and orbital bombardment. Usually, if things reach this stage, there is little that can be done to defend the base, as the Covenant's overwhelming firepower wipes the area out in a very short amount of time.

Prefab bases
Firebases are pre-fabricated UNSC bases that serve as platforms for other base structures. Based on colony starter units, their modular design allows for rapid deployment and construction on the battlefield. They can be fitted with up to four automated turrets. Possible additional buildings in a Firebase unit include the following:
 * Field Armory
 * UNSC Reactor
 * Supply Pad
 * UNSC Barracks
 * Vehicle Depot
 * UNSC Airpad