Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base

Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base, located in Houston, Texas, is a joint installation that commenced operations in 1917. Named for First Lieutenant Eric Ellington, a U.S. Army aviator, the base was initially established as an Air Service training camp during World War I, focusing on advanced flight training. After the war, it was inactivated in 1920 but reactivated in 1923 for the Texas National Guard's 111th Observation Squadron. The base was again reestablished during World War II, serving as a site for advanced flight, bombardier, and navigator training. Post-World War II, it was reactivated as Ellington Air Force Base in 1949, continuing navigator and multi-engine flying training. It also hosted Air Defense Command radar facilities from 1952 until 1998.

In 1958, Ellington was downgraded to a reserve Air Force Base. While active duty Air Force use largely ceased by 1976, the base has since served primarily as a Reserve Component air base. The Texas Air National Guard's 147th Attack Wing is the host unit, providing MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Aerial Systems capabilities. Other stationed units include the 75th Innovation Command (Army), Reserve Center Houston (Navy), 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines, and Coast Guard Air Station Houston. The Oklahoma Air National Guard's 138th Fighter Wing also maintains a rotational detachment for air defense. The base is also used by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for astronaut flight proficiency training and aircraft maintenance, due to its proximity to the Johnson Space Center. Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base shares its airfield with Ellington Airport, which is operated by the City of Houston for civilian aviation and industrial use. The base features three concrete runways: 17R/35L (2,743.5 meters), 4/22 (2,438.7 meters), and 17L/35R (1,404.8 meters).