Ellington Field ……. Actions Part 1

Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base

Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base (JRB) is a joint installation shared by various active component and reserve component military units, as well as aircraft flight operations of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under the aegis of the nearby Johnson Space Center. Let’s dive into some key details:

  1. History and Origins:
    • Established in 1917, Ellington Field was one of thirty-two Air Service training camps established after the United States’ entry into World War I.
    • The base is named in honor of First Lieutenant Eric Ellington, a U.S. Army aviator who tragically lost his life in a plane crash in San Diego, California, in 19131.
  2. Military Presence:
    • Ellington Field JRB is notable for having troop presences from all five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces:
      • Army
      • Navy
      • Marines
      • Air Force
      • Coast Guard2.
    • The Texas Air National Guard’s 147th Attack Wing (147 ATKW) serves as the host wing for the installation. The 147 ATKW provides a 24/7 capability with MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Aerial Systems and plays a critical role in intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and air-to-ground munitions3.
  3. Infrastructure and Operations:
    • Ellington Field JRB operates as a joint reserve base through collaborative agreements among its tenants. Currently there is a detachement of F-16C/D from Oklahoma AIr National Guard 125th FS doing air intercept and alert jets permanenlty base here.
    • The base supports the operations of the United States military, NASA, Continental Express, United Parcel Service, and general aviation4.
    • It boasts two primary runways:
      • 17R/35L: 2,743.5 meters (9,001 feet) of concrete
      • 4/22: 2,438.7 meters (8,001 feet) of concrete
      • Additionally, there’s a shorter runway:
        • 17L/35R: 1,404.8 meters (4,609 feet) of concrete, which is shared with Ellington Airport5.

IEllington Field JRB has a rich history, serves as a critical military installation, and hosts a diverse range of military and civilian operations. Its legacy continues to contribute to the defense and security of the United States. 🇺🇸

We will have several parts of Ellington Field’s current actions of Warbirds and active military aircrafts.

Pictures by Bill Havel