Nearly 200 National Guard soldiers arrived in Deming, N.M., Saturday one day before the commencement of their mission to help Border Patrol secure the border.

The mission is unique in that the soldiers live just miles from the area they're now protecting.

"It's something I've lived with all my life here, so, but it'll be a different perspective to be out there actually trying to observe this and report it," said Spc. Robert Gandaway of the Army National Guard.

The mission is being called Operation Centurion, which is beginning one week before President George W. Bush kickstarts Operation Jumpstart on the same turf.

Border Patrol officials told KFOX both operations will help with extra eyes and ears to report illegal immigrants and illegal activity, and will also help relieve the agents of some non-law enforcement duties.

The 185 guardsmen will be armed with M-16 machine guns which they said they will use only as a last resort.