Camp McCarran Camp McCarran is a in the Mojave Wasteland which serves as a major New California Republic military base in the Mojave Wasteland . It is considered only a close second to Hoover Dam in its strategic importance . It is located south of The Strip North Gate and southwest from NCR Sharecropper Farms . Background . It is located in the pre - War outside of New Vegas . Camp McCarran is the largest NCR military base in the New Vegas area and serves as the headquarters for NCR military operations in the Mojave region and as a center of logistics and information for NCR Army forces anywhere in Nevada . The base is constantly under attack from the Fiends , a drug - crazed gang that operates in the area . It also has several Caesar ' s Legion spies in it , according to Silus during the quest Silus Treatment . The former civilian airport was chosen by the NCR for a military base because of the monorail to the Strip , for being an easily defensible location , and having easily utilized technology as well as fortifications that were built before the Great War . Mr . House agreed that NCR could establish a major military presence there as part of the New Vegas treaty . McCarran includes a larger garrison than any other base in the area , except possibly Hoover Dam . Despite its high importance , Camp McCarran is beset by many issues undermining operations . Notable problems that Camp McCarran is suffering in 2281 include frequent attacks from the Fiends , broken - down cooking machinery in the mess hall , a lack of anything but mixed vegetables to feed the troops , spies in the base , and a captured centurion who refuses to talk to NCR commanders . The base commander is Colonel James Hsu , who also commands all NCR Army forces in the Mojave . General Lee Oliver , the NCR Army ' s leader , used to command the base personally , but he has relocated to Hoover Dam in anticipation of the coming battle with Caesar ' s Legion and has thus left Hsu fully in command of the garrison . Layout . The airport is mostly intact , having only suffered damage from lack of repair . The NCR has converted several of the guard posts into sniper nests , and the parking lot in the center into a barracks with sleeping , medical , supply storage , office , mess hall and recreation tents set up as well as firing ranges . Near the cargo terminal gates is a truck repair depot . There are also several NCR supply trucks parked around the barracks tents and passenger airplanes near the control tower . The tents closest to the camp entrance are occupied by the NCR 1st Recon , while the rest of the tents are used by regular NCR soldiers . Some beds , such as those used by 1st Recon , may be used by the Courier without penalty . There ' s usually an NCR trooper or Ranger standing outside the camp ' s entrance if you have enough positive reputation to use the NCR emergency radio . Speaking to the trooper or Ranger will cause him / her to say " Trooper , ready to fight ! " or " Ranger at the Ready ! " and become part of the party ; if they die , a message is displayed on the screen , informing that they have died . The outside of the base is usually patrolled by groups of three NCR trooper s on all sides of the complex , who will usually be picked off by the Fiends . Typically , there are five of these groups . They respawn every three days . NCR troopers also use the control towers as sniper ' s nests , assisting or shooting at the player ( depending on the player ' s progress in the game or reputation at the time ) . It appears that the NCR has fallen back quite a bit , as there are sandbags as far as South Vegas ruins . NCR Patrols , however , go as far as the hill behind Vault 34 , as can be seen from a group of three standing around a fire barrel . NCR troops that far into Fiend territory means the NCR is trying to either sandwich the Fiends in or provide a relief flank for the camp itself . Terminal building . The Camp McCarran terminal building is very large , housing a science lab , an interrogation room , jail , and supply rooms as well as quarters and office space for senior NCR officers . To the east , Colonel Hsu can be found in his office . Nearby is the OSI lab , with Doctors Thomas Hildern and Angela Williams . To the west is the office of Capt . Ronald Curtis . Upstairs , the player can find Lt . Carrie Boyd and the detention center on the right . The monorail to the Las Vegas Boulevard Station and New Vegas Strip is to the left . The pre - War monorail is still fully functional and allows quick and safe transport between the camp and The Strip . However , only military personnel and VIP ' s are allowed to use it . The Courier will be allowed to use the monorail if they wear an NCR uniform or have good reputation with the NCR . Appearances . Camp McCarran appears only in " " .