I thought OLFs were pretty much just practice fields.
Back in the day the Navy decided to base like aircraft at the same base on each coast. They called those bases "Master Jet Bases." After BRAC there just aren't that many jet bases left. OLFs are training fields which don't have permanently stationed aircraft, but are used for training. In the Navy TACAIR community they are used mostly to practice landings prior to shipboard operations
NAS Oceana is the Navy's Master Jet Base on the East Coast. It currently has F-14's and F-18 A/B/C's with F-18E/F on the way and F-14's going away. While Oceana used to be in the middle of nowhere it is now in downtown suburban Va. Beach. The landing pattern goes right over a large mall. The Navy currently operates an OLF called Fentress which is about 11 miles south of Oceana. Again, this used to be out in the middle of nowhere, but is now surrounded by houses.
Depending on level of currency (days since last carrier landing) Navy pilots need a certain number of FCLP (field carrier landing practice) landings graded by an LSO (landing signal officer) prior to going to the ship. With Oceana being in the middle of town most of the FCLPs are completed at Fentress. The Navy sometimes needs to operate this field around the clock, so needless to say the neighbors hate us. The funny thing is that one of the big wheels in the anti-jet noise crowd is a retired naval officer.
The Navy figured out their days of operating at Fentress were numbered and started looking for a new OLF. That is why this location in North Carolina was selected. This has nothing to do with Cherry Point getting Super Hornets or not getting Super Hornets. Either way, the Navy isn't going to be able to bounce at Fentress.
What the Navy needs is an 8,000 foot airstrip out in the middle of nowhere, within a reasonable distance of Oceana. Pilots need to be able to fly out of Oceana, fly to this field, get 6-10 touch and goes below max trap weight, and be able to return to Oceana with a comfortable amount of fuel and minimum interaction with ATC.
I don't know what is so special about this section of North Carolina. Evidently it must be pretty special when even posters on this website are saying screw the Navy.