Harvey Point
Encyclopedia
The Harvey Point Defense Testing Activity facility, owned by the Department of Defense
, is located on a peninsula in Perquimans County, North Carolina
, along the Albemarle Sound
, near the city of Hertford, NC. Established in World War II
as an operating base for sea planes conducting anti-submarine surveillance of the Atlantic coast
. A close-by Naval facility in Weeksville, NC served as a blimp base during and after World War II.
To comply with various procurement regulations, the Department of the Navy holds the title to and budgetary responsibility for the facility. Agencies such as the ATF
and the FBI have used the facility for complex training relating to overseas counter terrorism and asset protection training.
purchased the point, roughly 1200 acres (5 km²), for $41,751. The Navy then constructed an air station on the property for use during World War II. During WWII Harvey Point was used as a seaplane base.
After the war, the air station was deactivated until 1958 when the Navy announced Harvey Point would serve as the testing grounds for the Martin P6M Seamaster
, an experimental long-range bomber. The project was thrown out in August 1959 when the Navy determined the aircraft wasn't successful enough for it to continue providing support for the program. Then, in 1961, the Navy returned to the property and announced that the property was closed to the public; it has remained that way ever since.
order issued by the FAA on behalf of several agencies a permanent "no-fly zone" exists within 25 radial miles of the facility due to the ordnance testing that occurs at the facility and the significant hazards that exist for general aviation. A significant portion of the air space within the Albemarle Sound
is jointly administered and monitored by the FAA and the US Navy.
Harvey Point is also used for CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) paramilitary and counter-terrorism courses that involve high explosives and ballistics. The explosives are used to simulate terrorist bombs and can be heard for miles in the surrounding communities.*
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
, is located on a peninsula in Perquimans County, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, along the Albemarle Sound
Albemarle Sound
Albemarle Sound is a large estuary on the coast of North Carolina in the United States located at the confluence of a group of rivers, including the Chowan and Roanoke. It is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by the Outer Banks, a long barrier peninsula upon which the town of Kitty Hawk is located,...
, near the city of Hertford, NC. Established in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
as an operating base for sea planes conducting anti-submarine surveillance of the Atlantic coast
Atlantic Coast
The Atlantic Coast is any coast fronting the Atlantic Ocean. The term differentiates the coasts of countries or continents with coastlines on more than one body of water, such as North America, South America, Africa and Europe.-See also:*Indian Ocean...
. A close-by Naval facility in Weeksville, NC served as a blimp base during and after World War II.
To comply with various procurement regulations, the Department of the Navy holds the title to and budgetary responsibility for the facility. Agencies such as the ATF
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is a federal law enforcement organization within the United States Department of Justice...
and the FBI have used the facility for complex training relating to overseas counter terrorism and asset protection training.
History
The point was originally occupied during the 1670s by the Harvey Family, including North Carolina's first native-born governor, Thomas Harvey -- hence the name "Harvey Point."World War II
Courthouse records indicate that in November 1942 the United States NavyUnited States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
purchased the point, roughly 1200 acres (5 km²), for $41,751. The Navy then constructed an air station on the property for use during World War II. During WWII Harvey Point was used as a seaplane base.
After the war, the air station was deactivated until 1958 when the Navy announced Harvey Point would serve as the testing grounds for the Martin P6M Seamaster
P6M SeaMaster
The Martin P6M SeaMaster, built by the Glenn L. Martin Company, was a 1950s strategic bomber flying boat for the United States Navy that almost entered service; production aircraft had been built and Navy crews were undergoing operational conversion, with a service entry about six months off, when...
, an experimental long-range bomber. The project was thrown out in August 1959 when the Navy determined the aircraft wasn't successful enough for it to continue providing support for the program. Then, in 1961, the Navy returned to the property and announced that the property was closed to the public; it has remained that way ever since.
Current Use
Certain specialty military air operations are located at this facility, as the installation has two usable landing fields and plans for a third. Through a NOTAMNOTAM
NOTAM or NoTAM is the quasi-acronym for a "Notice To Airmen". NOTAMs are created and transmitted by government agencies and airport operators under guidelines specified by Annex 15: Aeronautical Information Services of the Convention on International Civil Aviation...
order issued by the FAA on behalf of several agencies a permanent "no-fly zone" exists within 25 radial miles of the facility due to the ordnance testing that occurs at the facility and the significant hazards that exist for general aviation. A significant portion of the air space within the Albemarle Sound
Albemarle Sound
Albemarle Sound is a large estuary on the coast of North Carolina in the United States located at the confluence of a group of rivers, including the Chowan and Roanoke. It is separated from the Atlantic Ocean by the Outer Banks, a long barrier peninsula upon which the town of Kitty Hawk is located,...
is jointly administered and monitored by the FAA and the US Navy.
Harvey Point is also used for CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) paramilitary and counter-terrorism courses that involve high explosives and ballistics. The explosives are used to simulate terrorist bombs and can be heard for miles in the surrounding communities.*