VIENNA TWP., Ohio - After four decades of flying the skies for missions, Ohio's lawmakers say it's time to upgrade the state's C-130 fleet.

Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown toured the 910th Airlift Wing in Vienna on Monday. He met with base leaders to discuss how his legislation would require improvements to the planes by 2020.

The base commander says changes in international and federal airspace require changes to the electronics in the planes. Upgrades would improve communication and navigation.

"We have to have plans to operate in the airspace so we don't have restrictions when we operate anywhere around the world that we can be called on, just as our active duty counterparts can at any time, to respond to the nation's requirements. Without these upgrades, without making some plans for the future, we would be dead in the water," said Colonel James Dingnan, 910th Airlift Wing commander.

Dignan says the base needs to stay on pace with the rest of the Air Force to remain a viable asset.

The base is now down to eight planes total.