In September 1990, enough construction had been completed that personnel moved from temporary office and working spaces in the community onto the station and the waterfront was dedicated.

[2] Naval Station Ingleside was originally constructed to accommodate a battle group, with a massive 1,100 ft pier, additional berthing space provided along two quay walls, and a heavy-weather mooring system designed to withstand category 2 hurricanes.

That Battle Group was initially meant to comprise the training aircraft carrier USS Lexington, the battleship USS Wisconsin, and their surface action group, however changes in the Navy's force structure caused these ships to be decommissioned.

In 1991, Secretary of the Navy Henry L. Garrett III decided to make Ingleside the homeport of the Navy's Mine Warfare Force, comprised Avenger-class mine countermeasures ships, Osprey-class coastal minehunters, and the command and control ship USS Inchon.

The Navy returned ownership of the main base property to the Port of Corpus Christi.