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A warm welcome home at Fairchild

Civil engineers spent six months helping to repair Afghanistan infrastructure

Derek Reese, of the Washington Air National Guard, holds his 3-year-old son, Ryan, and his wife, Michelle, after landing at Fairchild Air Force Base on Monday. Reese was deployed to Afghanistan for six months and was among some 30 airmen returning home. (Tyler Tjomsland)
Derek Reese, of the Washington Air National Guard, holds his 3-year-old son, Ryan, and his wife, Michelle, after landing at Fairchild Air Force Base on Monday. Reese was deployed to Afghanistan for six months and was among some 30 airmen returning home. (Tyler Tjomsland)Buy a print of this photo
Jennifer Pignolet The Spokesman-Review

Showers longer than three minutes. No dust. Not having to shave.

Those are things Senior Airman Chris Munro said he is looking forward to enjoying on American soil after he and 30 other members of the Washington Air National Guard returned from Afghanistan to Fairchild Air Force Base on Monday.

The members of the 141st Civil Engineer Squadron were dispersed throughout the war-torn country building and repairing infrastructure, including temporary shelters for military personnel. They completed jobs ranging from pouring concrete to installing electrical wiring.

Family members waited for their loved ones with homemade signs, waving flags and shedding more than a few tears.

The biggest question for Munro’s family was who was going to reach him first as he stepped off the plane.

“I have siblings to fight, so we’ll see who wins,” Munro’s fiancee, Catie Huston, said before his arrival.

The 21-year-old airman is the oldest of five siblings, and all came to welcome their brother home.

Holding a sign detailing her contact with her fiance over the past six months – 375 emails, 36 letters and 18 packages in 185 days – Huston was the first to wrap her arms around Munro. The two are set to marry in May.

Seventeen-year-old sister Claire said she is excited for her brother to teach her how to drive.

“He’s a brave guy,” Claire Munro said. “I’m pretty sure he’s not scared of much.”

For mom Trina Munro, the excitement comes from seeing how her son has changed in his six months abroad.

“We’re so excited to have him back and see the person he’s become,” she said.

As most Air National Guard deployments fill open spots on an as-needed basis, this was the first time since 2009 that a local team this large deployed and returned together.

Unit commander Lt. Col. Michael Nester said that arriving at the base to a large crowd of family and friends is “a huge morale booster.”

Their overall mission to support troops in Afghanistan was successful, Nester said, and everyone returned safely.

“They’ve made a lasting contribution to our efforts in Afghanistan,” he said.