Dare County Range During the Cold War in 1961 , President John F . Kennedy implemented a search to locate a practice bombing range area for pilots . Constructed in 1965 by the US Navy under the supervision of the USAF , the range was originally leased from the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company until 1974 . The land then went under ownership of the First Colony Farms until acquired by the USAF through condemnation proceedings in 1978 . The DCR was operated by military personnel until 1975 when civil service employees assumed operation of the range . In 1981 , civilian contractors assumed operations and maintenance of the range .
3.4 Installation Setting
Known as the Coastal Plain , Eastern North Carolina contains expansive agricultural lands and offers a variety of outdoor recreational activities . While ideal for farming , the abundance of level , open fields also provides Seymour Johnson AFB and the DCR with airspace and terrain that is necessary for accomplishing the Base ’ s mission . Beyond Seymour Johnson AFB , manufacturing , aerospace , aviation , and agricultural industries also contribute to the robust economies of the local communities . The community surrounding Seymour Johnson AFB offers rich agricultural tourism sites , including numerous local orchards , family‐owned farms , and wineries .
Though the Seymour Johnson AFB installation complex also includes the Fort Fisher Recreation Area in Kure Beach , North Carolina and airspace throughout North Carolina , only those areas within the JLUS Study Area are discussed and evaluated as part of the JLUS .
Seymour Johnson AFB Seymour Johnson AFB is located in Wayne County , on the eastern‐center plain of North Carolina . Located within the City of Goldsboro ’ s corporate limits , the installation comprises approximately 3,243 acres in the
southeastern portion of the city , east of US Rout of US Route 70 .
The Seymour Johnson AFB installation setting is southern portion of the Base is largely dedicated operations and maintenance uses . North of the administrative , community related , industrial an Base housing and medical facilities are located a Base . Open space is scattered throughout all are
Dare County Range The DCR is located on the easternmost coast cen Carolina . The DCR comprises 46,604 acres and is River National Wildlife Refuge between the Allig Pamlico Sounds . This area includes numerous m spaces that allow for specific training operations encroachment . The Dare County Range installat Figure 3‐3 .
Pamlico Sound is located between the Atlantic O Dare County . It is the largest lagoon along the e west linking to Croatan Sound . Croatan Sound is Roanoke Island and connects to the Pamlico and
The DCR is separated into nine sub areas with tw northern portion of the Range comprising appro Navy operations ( through an Inters‐Service Supp USAF ) and 2,279 acres in the southern portion o operations . The remaining acreage is considered and protected by conservation efforts . This area communities located near the DCR .
Background Report