Maj. Paul White of Meridian took command of the Idaho Army National Guard’s 2nd Squadron, 116th Cavalry Regiment of the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team on Saturday during a special ceremony.

The outgoing commander is Lt. Col. Todd W. Edgar, who led the squadron on its recent deployment to Iraq.

The 2nd Squadron includes 600 Army National Guard citizen soldiers, mostly from southwestern Idaho and the Treasure Valley. Its military mission is to conduct reconnaissance and surveillance for the brigade.

White previously served as the squadron’s executive officer and deployed to Iraq from during the brigade to Iraq in 2010-2011.

“This unit has a storied and honored past,” White said. “I am humbled at the opportunity I have to serve such a tremendous group of soldiers.”