U.S. Senator Bob Casey toured the Kongsberg company plant in Johnstown Wednesday to thank the workers for their service to the country and the region.

Sen. Casey got to take a look at the company’s new medium caliber remote weapons station. The new system will upgrade the army’s tanks on the front lines.

The senator is in Cambria County Wednesday and Thursday for the 27th Annual Showcase for Commerce, which brings together defense companies and contractors.

He’s been a congressional lead for the showcase for five years and said this area plays a crucial role in the country’s defense industry.

“It’s critically important that we recognize the work ethic and the contribution of citizens in this region. And especially in the context of our national security, but even beyond that. To have showcase bring all of that together: bring in defense contractors, universities in the region, and employers and others,” said Sen. Bob Casey, (D) Pennsylvania.

Thursday, Sen. Casey will be the keynote speaker at the Showcase for Commerce’s John P. Murtha breakfast to talk about his work securing defense funding for the region and what his hopes are for the U.S. defense industry.