LEWISTON – A new Maine Army National Guard company that will be activated this week specializes in detecting and disposing of roadside bombs.

The 251st Engineer (Sapper) Company will have about 100 soldiers. Nearly half of them will be “sappers,” or combat engineers who clear routes with explosives and detonate roadside bombs and mines.

Capt. Donald Lachapelle said the unit’s basic mission is to go out and find explosives.

The company will become part of the 133rd Engineer Battalion. The battalion is expected to be deployed to the Middle East in early 2010, but since the sappers are so new they would likely stay behind when the battalion goes.

An activation ceremony will be held Saturday at the armory in Norway.