Home Celebrity Hype Tracker 1

7 Explosive Secrets Of The Boomers In Fallout: New Vegas You Missed (Volare! Guide)

• minute read
Contents

The Boomers are one of the most memorable and unique factions in Fallout: New Vegas, a group of isolationist, artillery-obsessed survivors living within the heavily fortified Nellis Air Force Base. As of December 2025, the community’s fascination with this faction—and the sheer difficulty of their initial approach—continues to make their questline a hot topic for new and returning players. This in-depth guide is your definitive resource, providing the latest strategies, lore secrets, and a complete walkthrough of the "Volare!" quest to help you secure their powerful artillery support for the final confrontation at Hoover Dam.

The Boomers represent the ultimate test of the Courier's diplomatic skills, requiring you to navigate a minefield of literal and figurative bombs to earn the trust of their highly skeptical leadership. Successfully completing their tasks not only grants you a powerful ally but also unlocks some of the most unique gear and vendor access in the Mojave Wasteland. Get ready to prove you're not just another smooth-talking outsider—you're family.

The Nellis Air Force Base Faction Profile & Key Entities

The Boomers are a tribal society descended from the inhabitants of Vault 34, a Vault whose armory was breached, leading to a violent schism and their eventual exodus to Nellis Air Force Base. Their isolationist culture, centered around pre-War military technology and a deep reverence for aviation, makes them a formidable force. Their most potent asset is a fully operational 105mm Howitzer artillery unit, which they use to enforce a deadly perimeter around their home.

  • Faction Name: The Boomers
  • Location: Nellis Air Force Base (Nellis AFB)
  • Primary Quest: "Volare!" (A Latin term meaning "to fly")
  • Key Reputation Ranks: Neutral, Accepted, Idolized
  • Primary Reward: Artillery Support at the Battle of Hoover Dam, Unique Vendor Access, Training.
  • Associated Achievement: "Volare!" (Complete the Boomers' main quest)

Key Boomer Characters & Their Roles

Earning the trust of the Boomers means assisting their key personnel with various tasks. These individuals are the heart of the faction and your path to Idolized status.

  • Pearl: The Matriarch and leader of the Boomers. She is the main quest giver for "Volare!" and the final decision-maker.
  • Pete: The young historian found in the Nellis Museum. He provides the fascinating history and lore of the Boomers' journey from Vault 34. Listening to his story is the easiest way to gain initial fame.
  • Jack: The mechanic and apprentice to Loyal. He needs help with various mechanical tasks, which can be solved with a high Repair skill or by finding parts.
  • Janet: The munitions manager. She requires the Courier's help with a specific task related to her garden, which can be solved with a high Survival skill or by finding components.
  • Loyal: The chief mechanic and technical genius. He is crucial for the final stage of the "Volare!" quest, where you must recover a vital piece of technology from the bottom of Lake Mead.
  • Argyll: The Boomer doctor. He oversees the medical needs of the base and offers a task related to healing the sick.

The Gauntlet: How to Safely Enter Nellis Air Force Base

The biggest obstacle to meeting the Boomers is their initial defense: a relentless artillery barrage that rains down on any approaching outsider. Getting past this is a rite of passage for every Courier.

Step-by-Step Entry Guide:

  1. Approach the Gate: Travel northeast from the Freeside East Gate until you reach the Nellis Air Force Base entrance. You will be warned by an NPC named George or an NCR soldier about the danger.
  2. The Artillery Run: The key to surviving is to run between the collapsed buildings and wreckage near the perimeter fence. The artillery shells are timed and targeted at open ground.
  3. The Zig-Zag Strategy: Move in a zig-zag pattern, sprinting from one piece of cover (a collapsed wall, a bus, or a large rock) to the next. Do not stop in the open.
  4. Wait for the Sound: Listen for the sound of the shell being fired. Once you hear the explosion, sprint to the next cover point.
  5. Reaching the Hangar: Once you reach the gate, a Boomer will approach you and escort you inside, ending the barrage. You will then meet Pearl and begin the "Volare!" quest.

Tip for Low-Level Characters: Wearing light armor and using chems like Turbo or Jet can improve your chances, but the best defense is simply knowing the route and timing your sprints perfectly.

"Volare!" Quest Guide: Earning Boomer Idolization

The "Volare!" quest requires the Courier to perform a series of good deeds to prove their friendly intentions and usefulness to the Boomer community. Each task grants a small amount of Boomer Fame, and you need to reach the "Idolized" reputation rank to complete the main objective.

Core Tasks for Fame (The Boomer To-Do List)

The following tasks are the most reliable ways to increase your Boomer reputation:

  • The Boomers' History: Speak to Pete in the Nellis Museum and listen to his entire tale about the Boomers' past, from Vault 34 to Nellis. This is a mandatory and easy source of early fame.
  • Young Hearts (The Orphanage): Go to the Nellis Barracks and speak to the teacher, Miss Pearl, about the young Boomers. You can earn fame by:
    • Donating medical supplies (requires a Medicine skill check).
    • Donating scrap metal (a common resource).
    • Passing a Speech skill check (50) to inspire the children.
  • The White Wash (Jack's Task): Find Jack in the Nellis Hangars. He needs replacement parts for his equipment. You can:
    • Pass a high Repair skill check (60) to fix the generator.
    • Bring him three units of Scrap Metal.
  • I Hear You Calling (Janet's Task): Find Janet in the Nellis Hangars. She is concerned about her garden. You can:
    • Pass a Survival skill check (70) to fix the crops.
    • Bring her ten units of Brahmin Feces (yes, really).
  • Medical Aid (Argyll's Task): Speak to Doctor Argyll in the Nellis Medical Bay. He needs help treating sick patients. You can:
  • Ant Problem: Clear out the Giant Ants infesting the Nellis Hangars. This is a combat-focused task that contributes to your overall fame.

The Final Test: Raising the Bomber

Once you have achieved "Accepted" or "Idolized" reputation, Pearl will give you the final task: raising the submerged B-29 bomber from the depths of Lake Mead. This is the ultimate proof of your commitment to the Boomers' aviation heritage.

  1. Speak to Loyal: Loyal, the chief mechanic, will provide you with the necessary equipment: three Ballons and a Breathing Device.
  2. Travel to Lake Mead: Head to the marked location on your map, which is a small boat dock on the edge of the lake.
  3. Submerge: Equip the Breathing Device and dive into the water. The B-29 is located on the lakebed.
  4. Attach the Ballons: You must attach the three balloons to the bomber's fuselage. This requires a Explosives skill check (45) or a Repair skill check (45) for each attachment point.
  5. Return to Nellis: Once the bomber is raised, return to Pearl. This act completes "Volare!" and secures the Boomers as your allies for the final battle.

Unique Rewards and Endings

Befriending the Boomers offers significant in-game advantages that should not be overlooked, regardless of which major faction (NCR, Caesar's Legion, Mr. House, or Yes Man) you ultimately side with.

The Big Boomer: A Must-Have Unique Weapon

The Big Boomer is a unique Sawed-Off Shotgun carried by the Boomer named Raquel. It is a powerful, high-damage weapon that uses 12 Gauge rounds. You can acquire it by pickpocketing it with a high Sneak skill, or by killing Raquel, though the latter will turn the entire Boomer faction hostile and lock you out of the "Volare!" quest.

Reputation Rewards and Vendor Access

Achieving "Idolized" status with the Boomers unlocks the following crucial benefits:

  • Artillery Support: The Boomers will provide an artillery barrage during the Second Battle of Hoover Dam, targeting your enemies. This is an incredibly powerful asset that can turn the tide of the final fight.
  • Munitions Vendor: Janet, the munitions manager, becomes one of the best vendors in the game for Explosives ammo, including rare rounds.
  • Power Armor Training: Loyal can provide the Courier with the necessary training to wear Power Armor, a vital skill for high-level combat.
  • Unique Welding Helmet: A rare piece of apparel is available for trade or theft, adding to the faction's unique gear.

The Boomers' Role in the Mojave's Future

The ending slide for the Boomers is determined by whether you complete the "Volare!" quest and secure their alliance. Their support is faction-agnostic; they will help whichever major faction the Courier aligns with.

  • If Idolized (Volare! Completed): The Boomers will maintain their isolation but become a respected, powerful force in the Mojave, occasionally flying sorties to patrol the region. Their artillery support proves decisive in the final battle.
  • If Hostile (Boomers Wiped Out): The Boomers' identity is erased from memory, their artillery silent, and Nellis Air Force Base becomes a forgotten ruin, leaving the Mojave without their powerful presence.

The Boomers are more than just a side quest; they are a pivotal element of the Mojave's power structure. Their questline is a masterclass in non-combat resolution, rewarding players who invest in their diplomatic and utility skills over brute force. Secure their help, and you secure a massive advantage in the fight for the New Vegas Strip.

7 Explosive Secrets of The Boomers in Fallout: New Vegas You Missed (Volare! Guide)
fallout new vegas the boomers
fallout new vegas the boomers

Detail Author:

  • Name : Dr. Magdalen Corkery PhD
  • Username : kunde.quentin
  • Email : candice.lemke@yahoo.com
  • Birthdate : 1981-12-26
  • Address : 788 Marvin Views Suite 732 East Eula, NV 10430
  • Phone : 1-726-855-5256
  • Company : Johnston and Sons
  • Job : Dancer
  • Bio : Laborum minima iste distinctio dolores rerum. Autem molestiae ratione adipisci facere iusto veniam ea tempora. Aut soluta et est tempora.

Socials

instagram:

linkedin:

twitter:

  • url : https://twitter.com/reymundo5182
  • username : reymundo5182
  • bio : Eveniet tempora praesentium repudiandae ut. Cum omnis nostrum non sint quae.
  • followers : 6334
  • following : 2403

facebook:

Random Posts