New Ohio U.S. Senator JD Vance made a stop in the Valley at the Youngstown Air Reserve Station Tuesday.

"I'm here just to understand," said Senator Vance. "The C-130 is a very versatile air craft. What're they doing here? What're they doing day to day," he said.

It's the first time he's been here since taking on his new role and his second stop on a mission to gather information from Ohio's military bases. The first stop was in Toledo, Monday.

"I plan to go to all of them," Vance said.

YARS has several missions, one of them including tactical air lifting where they deliver cargo or passengers to remote locations across the country.

This station was named the preferred location for replacing 8 C-130 H's with 8 C-130 J's, but stations in Colorado, Georgia and Minnesota are also being considered. Vance tells 21 News he'll do all he can to ensure YARS gets those planes.

"We're gonna make sure the airmen get the training they need, also make sure the base is prepared for the coming of that plan," said Vance. "I think we're in a very good place to make sure that this base gets those planes," he said.

The C-130 J's aren't however, the top priority for reservists there.

Colonel Jeff VanDootingh of the 910th air lift wing tells 21 News, an air station could have all the airplanes in the world, but if they don't have the airmen to power them, they won't be able to defend the nation. VanDootingh says he spoke with Senator Vance on how the airmen are most important.

"In my mind, our airmen are by far the most critical asset that I have here," VanDootingh said. "The more I can do to take care of an airman and his or her family, the more likely they are to re-enlist and continue to serve our great nation," he said.

VanDootingh hopes Vance will support programs that fund airmen and their families and Vance says he wants to advocate for them in Washington.