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UTICA, N.Y. -- Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Cronin officially took the reigns of the 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry Regiment.

Soldiers held a traditional change of command ceremony.

He served in Afghanistan from 2007 to 2008 and received several medals for his service.

Lieutenant Cronin will now lead about 800 National Guard soldiers, assigned to six companies located across Western, Central and Northern New York State.

"It's a very challenging role. My predecessor was a fantastic commander. The soldiers here today that you just saw are excellent soldiers. This battalion has deployed twice in combat, once to Iraq, once to Afghanistan, and the guys that are here with me in formation today that I'm in charge of are some of the best soldiers in the State of New York," said Lieutenant Cronin.

The outgoing commander, Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Biehler, will take over the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.