NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — Military C-130 transport planes have been flying out of the Niagara Falls air base for more than 40 years.

That has ended with Monday's departure from the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station of four of the aircraft on the final C-130 deployment for the 914th Airlift Wing.

The wing is switching to flying KC-135 refueling tankers as part of a new mission that's seen as crucial to the future of the air base. The Air Force is retiring some of the C-130 fleet to save money.

The commander of the 914th Airlift Wing, Brian Bowman, was at the base to see the aircraft off Monday. He says it was a chance to look back on the past while focusing on the future.

A woman hugs her husband, a soldier deploying in support of an operation against the Islamic State group, from the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station in Niagara Falls, N.Y., Monday, May 9, 2016. (James Neiss/The Niagara Gazette via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT

A woman hugs her husband, a soldier deploying in support of an operation against the Islamic State group, from the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station on May 9, 2016, in Niagara Falls, N.Y.

Photo Credit: James Neiss/The Niagara Gazette via AP

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