Harvey Point Defense Testing Activity
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 WWII.
To comply with various procurement regulations, the Department of the Navy holds the title to and budgetary responsibility for the facility. The principal tenant is the CIA. Other agencies such as the ATF 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 Navy purchased the point, roughly 1,200 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.
Current Use
Since 9/11 the CIA has increase the use of this facility for complex joint operations training that involve foreign governments. It should be noted that "The Point" is a different facility than the trade-craft and paramilitary training facility known as "The Farm" (Camp Peary) which is located near Williamsburg, Virginia.
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 NOTAM order issued by the FAA on behalf of several agencies a permanent "no-fly zone" exists withing 25 radial miles of the facility. Due to the ordinance testing that occurs at the facility the significant hazards 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.