Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base

Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base is located in Houston, Texas. Established in 1917 by the U.S. government as one of thirty-two Air Service training camps, the base is named after First Lieutenant Eric Ellington. During World War I, it functioned as an advanced flight training base, hosting units such as the 120th Aero Squadron. Following a period of inactivation starting in 1920, the facility was reactivated in 1923 for the Texas National Guard's 111th Observation Squadron. After a fire destroyed most structures in 1928, the base was rebuilt in 1940 to serve as a training center for pilots, bombardiers, and navigators during World War II. In 1949, it was renamed Ellington Air Force Base and hosted the 3605th Navigation School and Air Defense Command radar stations. The Air Force inactivated the active duty installation in 1976, transitioning the site to a reserve component facility.

The Texas Air National Guard's 147th Attack Wing acts as the host wing. Operationally gained by Air Combat Command, the wing operates MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Aerial Systems to provide intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike capabilities. A detachment of F-16C aircraft from the Oklahoma Air National Guard's 138th Fighter Wing maintains 24-hour air defense alert missions from the base. Other stationed units include the Army’s 75th Innovation Command, the Navy Reserve Center Houston, the 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines, and Coast Guard Air Station Houston. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) maintains flight operations for astronaut proficiency and specialized training under the aegis of the Johnson Space Center.

The installation shares airfield facilities with the civilian Ellington Airport. Military infrastructure includes a 40,000-square-foot Battle Command Training Center, an Armed Forces Reserve Center, a Welcome Center, and maintenance facilities for Army, Navy, and Marine Corps reserve units. A Coast Guard Sector Houston/Galveston facility was added in 2013. Aircraft hosted at the site include MQ-9 Reapers and a rotational detachment of F-16 Fighting Falcons. NASA maintains a fleet at the base including T-38 Talon, RB-57, and C-9 aircraft. The base also houses a Civil Air Patrol composite squadron.