ELLINGTON FIELD JRB
JOINT BASES
Houston, TX
United States
ELLINGTON FIELD JRB
JOINT BASES
Houston, TX
United States
Ellington Field JRB
Base Essentials
A joint reserve base in the Houston suburbs hosting Air Force Reserve, Army Reserve, Coast Guard, and NASA operations — full Houston metro access with Texas's no-income-tax lifestyle.
Base Details
Type
Air Force Base
Branch
JOINT BASES
Command
NGB
Status
Reserve/Partial
Est.
1917
Acres
1,800
Active Duty
—
Civilian
—
Population
7,100,000
Economic Impact
—
Ellington Field JRB History
Named AfterLieutenant Eric Lamar Ellington
Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston, Texas, dates to 1917 when it was established as a World War I pilot training field. Named after Lieutenant Eric Lamar Ellington, it has served various military branches over the decades. Today it operates as a joint reserve base supporting Air National Guard, Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, and Coast Guard units. Ellington is also notable for its role as the location where NASA astronauts conduct flight training, given its proximity to the Johnson Space Center.
Units Stationed
Unit
Nickname
Type
147th Attack Wing (TX ANG)
—
—
1st Battalion 149th Aviation (TX ARNG)
—
—
Historic Timeline
1917
Established as Ellington Field
1940
Reactivated for WWII Training
1993
Designated Joint Reserve Base
—
View Key Moments
(3)
1917
Established as Ellington Field
Ellington Field was established in 1917 as one of 32 Army Air Service training fields opened during WWI, named for Lieutenant Eric L. Ellington, a pilot killed in a 1913 training accident. The field trained thousands of aviators before closing after WWI.
1940
Reactivated for WWII Training
Ellington Field was reactivated in 1940 ahead of WWII and trained over 10,000 bombardiers and navigators during the war. After WWII it transitioned through several roles before becoming a joint reserve installation.
1993
Designated Joint Reserve Base
Ellington Field was designated a Joint Reserve Base in 1993 following post-Cold War restructuring, hosting Air Force Reserve, Army National Guard, Coast Guard, and NASA aircraft side by side. NASA's Johnson Space Center uses the field for astronaut T-38 training flights.
Phone Directory
Key phone numbers for Ellington Field JRB.
Ellington Field JRB Base Gates
Entry points, hours, and access requirements for Ellington Field JRB.
Gate hours can change suddenly during special exercises, holidays, and operational periods. We always recommend confirming details before you travel.
Latest News
Recent articles and updates from Ellington Field JRB.
Information
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Military News
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Information
Coast Guard Basic Training: Everything You Need to Know
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PCS & Newcomers
Everything you need to know for your move to Ellington Field JRB.
Welcome center hours and contact details can change. We recommend confirming before you visit or call.
147th Attack Wing — Unit Administrative Section / Newcomer Coordination
Phone
(281) 929-2201Hours
Mon–Fri, 0800–1600
In-Processing
Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base is home to the 147th Attack Wing (Texas ANG, MQ-9 Reaper) and is a joint reserve installation also used by NASA Johnson Space Center and the U.S. Coast Guard. Permanent-party personnel report to their unit's administrative section during duty hours; there is no centralized active-duty in-processing center.
In-processing at a reserve installation like Ellington is unit-specific and less formal than at active-duty bases. Personnel should contact their gaining unit well in advance of arrival to receive specific reporting instructions and in-processing checklist requirements.
Ellington JRB is located in southeast Houston, adjacent to Clear Lake City and NASA's Johnson Space Center. The greater Houston metro area offers diverse job opportunities for military spouses, very affordable housing options, and a large, well-established military community.
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Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Open PCS Checklist (14 Items)
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Always free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Housing & BAH
On-post housing, cost of living, and BAH info for Ellington Field JRB.
On-Base Housing
Ellington Field JRB does not have on-post family housing for permanent-party personnel — it is primarily a reserve installation. All personnel live in the greater Houston metro area. Ellington is located in southeast Houston, adjacent to Clear Lake City and NASA's Johnson Space Center. Houston is one of the largest cities in the United States, offering an enormous r…
Local Market
$1,600/mo
rent
/
$320,000
avg. home
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Cost of Living Around Ellington Field JRB
92
8% Below National Average
Housing
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Schools & Education
K-12 schools, colleges, and education resources near Ellington Field JRB.
School Liaison Officer
Coming soon
3
High Schools
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Education Benefits
Check Your GI Bill Eligibility
Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, and more.
Where To Live
Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base is located in the Clear Lake / Nassau Bay area of southeastern Houston, near the NASA Johnson Space Center. The installation is shared between Air Force Reserve, Texas Air National Guard, and the Houston Airport System. Families benefit from access to the booming Houston metro while living in one of the most interesting aerospace communities in the world.
League City
Suburban
A rapidly growing suburb in Galveston County between Ellington Field and Galveston Bay, League City has become extremely popular with both NASA and military families for its newer construction, Clear Creek ISD — one of Texas's better-regarded suburban school systems — and easy access to both Ellington and the Houston Medical Center via I-45. The Texas City Y and Kemah Boardwalk waterfront are nearby bonuses.
Commute: 15 min
Schools: Clear Creek ISD
Families with kids
Dual military
Retirees
Outdoorsy types
Top-rated Clear Creek ISD, fastest-growing area near Ellington, Galveston Bay access, Kemah Boardwalk, NASA JSC neighbor
Friendswood
Suburban
A well-established Galveston/Harris County community with Friendswood ISD — an independent district that consistently leads the Houston area in academic performance. Friendswood has a small-town character, mature tree canopy, and strong neighborhood associations. The commute to Ellington runs about 15 minutes via FM-528. Very popular with families who research school districts before choosing a neighborhood.
Commute: 15 min
Schools: Friendswood ISD
Families with kids
Retirees
Pet owners
Top Houston area school district, established neighborhood character, mature landscaping, close to JSC and Ellington, strong community
Taxes & Finance
State tax policy and financial info for service members at Ellington Field JRB.
State Income Tax
None
Military Pay
No state income tax
Retirement Pay
No state income tax
Vehicle Tax Exempt
No
Military Pay Details
Texas has no state income tax. All military pay, special pays, and retirement income are fully exempt. Texas is one of t…
Spouse Income Tax
Texas has no state income tax. Military spouses living in Texas are not subject to Texas income tax regardless of their…
Vehicle Registration
Texas charges a 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax on purchases. Active duty military members who are legal residents of anot…
Property Tax
Texas has no state income tax but relatively high property tax rates — typically 1.5%–2.5% of appraised value depending…
Pet Policies at Ellington Field JRB
Pet policies, vet services, and resources at Ellington Field JRB.
Emergency Vet
Coming soon
On-Base Vet Clinic
Coming soon
Restricted Breeds
8
Prohibited Animals
4
Dog Parks
—
Boarding & Kennels
—
Pet Guidance
2
Max Pets
Facilities & Services
On-base services and facilities at Ellington Field JRB.
Commissary
Coming soon
Exchange
BX
Medical
Coming soon
Childcare & Youth
CDC Available
MWR & Recreation
1
Fitness Center
Employment & Education
Coming soon
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ellington Field JRB.
01
Are the base gates open 24 hours?
All 1 gates at Ellington Field JRB operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Access levels vary by gate — some are restricted to military and DoD ID holders only.
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02
How do visitor passes work?
Visitors must be sponsored by someone with base access and should contact the installation's Visitor Control Center in advance with their government-issued ID and vehicle info. Day passes are issued at the gate; extended access may require additional coordination.
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03
What is BAH and how is it calculated?
BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) is a monthly stipend based on your pay grade, dependency status, and the duty station ZIP code — it is not counted as taxable income. Rates are updated each January; use the BAH Calculator in the Finance section to see current figures for Ellington Field JRB.
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04
What should I do first after receiving PCS orders?
Contact the gaining installation's housing office and military transportation office (TMO/PPSO) immediately after orders are issued. Apply for on-base housing right away — waitlists at many installations run 6–18 months.
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05
Does TRICARE cover local providers?
TRICARE covers both the on-base military treatment facility and authorized civilian providers in the surrounding community. Use the provider finder at tricare.mil to confirm in-network options near Ellington Field JRB.
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Data & Methodology
How we source this −
Information is compiled from DoD publications, official installation websites, and reviewed by military personnel. Independent publication — not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense.