BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) - The Montana National Guard expects to contribute up to 200 soldiers this year, for a mission aimed at stronger law enforcement along the border dividing the United States and Mexico.

About 50 of the troops were scheduled to leave Montana on Sunday for a three-week New Mexico assignment, assisting the U.S. Border Patrol through a mission called Operation Jumpstart.

National Guard troops from around the country are being used in the Southwest, to aid the Border Patrol.

Most of Guard troops leaving Montana on Sunday are from Glasgow, Malta, Dillon and Anaconda.