Topeka ? A Kansas National Guard unit will be deployed to the United States-Mexico border to try to help stem the flow of illegal immigrants crossing into the U.S.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius today said 50 airmen from the 184th Civil Engineering Squadron, based in Wichita, will take part in what is called Operation Jumpstart.

Sebelius said the airmen will be working in Arizona on engineering-related projects such as fence construction in what will be the first such deployment from Kansas. The unit is scheduled to leave at the end of this month.

President Bush called for the use of National Guard troops to help the Border Patrol increase security while additional Border Patrol agents were trained.

“It’s Washington’s responsibility to defend our borders, but since we’ve seen precious little action nationally on that front, states like Kansas are stepping up,” Sebelius said. “I fully support this operation, have authorized our state to participate and know the men and women of the National Guard are ready to help secure our border.”

“This mission demonstrates just how versatile our airmen are,” said Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, the adjutant general. “Their engineering skills are second to none and I know they’ll do a first-rate job on this project to support our homeland defense efforts. As with Hurricane Katrina, it’s our duty to support our sister states and our nation in time of need.”

The deployment is expected to last two to three weeks.