Col. Franklin C. McCauley is the new commander of the Tennessee Army National Guard's 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment

A 30-year military veteran takes command of the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment on Sunday.

Col. Franklin C. McCauley previously deployed to Iraq in 2004, commanding the regiment's 2nd Squadron. He'll take over for Col. Jeffrey H. Holmes, the regiment's commander during its 2010 combat tour in Iraq.

McCauley joined the Tennessee Army National Guard in 1981, according to a Guard release. He has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and other campaign and combat medals and badges.

The 278th is the state's largest command with units from Kingsport to Memphis and has more than 3,700 soldiers in three squadrons.

McCauley is also a special agent with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

The change-of-command ceremony is scheduled for Sunday at 2 p.m. at the West High School Football Stadium in Knoxville.

For more details see tomorrow's Chattanooga Times Free Press.