U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., toured Sikorsky Aircraft Troy Operations for the first time in about five years Tuesday morning.

Sessions said he wanted to visit the facility again because he’s particularly interested in the military aspect of what is happening in Alabama due to his position on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

“They are just a first-rate corporate citizen for this whole region,” Sessions said of Sikorsky. “There are a lot of great people working here.”

Sikorsky’s Troy facility employs 645 people, according to General Manager Jason Lambert.

“It is a great workforce to have,” Lambert said. “We are incredibly proud of them and thankful to have them here in Alabama. They understand the importance of competition and the importance of continually doing better.”

Since his visit half a decade ago, Sessions said operations at Sikorsky seem to be more organized and workers more disciplined.

“They’ve made great strides in clean manufacturing, being efficient, being productive. In the long run that helps win contracts in the future creating even more jobs. It’s an exciting thing to see.”

Sessions described the layout of the facility as “very sophisticated.” That, he said, allows workers to do their jobs without injury and without error while maximizing production.

“It appears to me that the work being done here is flawless, top-flight work on some of the most sophisticated aircraft,” Sessions said.

Reliable energy at reliable rates coupled with an experienced, educated workforce are what sets U.S. manufacturers apart from the rest of the world, according to Sessions.

“I believe that we are on the verge of a renaissance in American manufacturing,” Sessions said. “I truly believe that we are able to compete a lot better than people think, and if we are able to keep our regulations down keep, our energy costs down and allow American industry to flourish, I think we might surprise ourselves in the next decade with how well the United States can do.”

Sessions said he would also be making stops in Union Springs and Dothan Thursday and will cover 17 counties this week.

To see a video of Sessions discussing his time at Sikorsky, visit www.troymessenger.com.