Ellington Field was officially inactivated by the Air Force in 1976 and all Air Force Reserve squadrons were transferred to other military facilities; however, the following still maintain a military presence at the base.

Texas Air National Guard

Texas Army National Guard

U.S. Army Reserve

U.S. Navy Reserve

U.S. Marine Corps Reserve

U.S. Coast Guard (Coast Guard Air Station Houston)

In 1984, the city of Houston purchased Ellington to use as a third civil airport, and it was renamed Ellington Airport on 14 January 2009, while the military cantonment area is known as Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base and Coast Guard Air Station Houston.