ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. -- In his duties as the air propulsion test project manager at the Arnold Engineering Development Center here, 1st Lt. Josh Frederik plays a key part in numerous multimillion dollar projects.

"You're dealing with these big numbers and as the representative on the government side you need to be a good steward of that money," he said. "I learn so much everyday. It is just amazing what goes on here."

The lieutenant's mission is not a rare one at Arnold AFB. With less than 80 active-duty military members, (in comparison to 2,700 contractors) most of the military members perform oversight duties.

Located an hour south of Nashville, Tenn., the development center operates 58 aerodynamic and propulsion wind tunnels, rocket and turbine engine test cells, space environmental chambers, arc heaters, ballistic ranges and other specialized units. Twenty-seven of the center's test units have capabilities unmatched elsewhere in the U.S.; 14 are unique in the world.

The industrial maze of stainless-steel pipes and gigantic machinery is so vast that the lieutenant joked that when he first started his job he felt like he needed a pocket of bread crumbs to avoid getting lost.

Now at home in the multimillion dollar development center, he is proud of his oversight role in what he calls the orchestra of testing, he said.

"People truly love what they do out here," Lieutenant Frederik said. "You can really sink your teeth into the technical side of things. You are given responsibility as soon as you get here and your supervisors empower you to do your job."

One of the projects involving the use of synthetic fuels which the lieutenant has worked on has drawn a lot of interest across the Air Force.

Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne visited Arnold Nov. 29, to view the first ground testing of the General Electric F101 engine using a 50/50 mix of Fischer-Tropsch and JP-8 jet fuels.

Secretary Wynne said that the project is vital for the Air Force's future combat capabilities.

"We know that we're being watched by all of our colleagues throughout the aviation industry," Secretary Wynne said. "We hope the fuel becomes a free-market commodity. If that happens, then we will have done what we set out to do, reduce our dependency on foreign oil and increase our choices for fuel."

Military members often provide fresh insight on test projects, said center officials.

"The biggest benefit of the military members is another set of eyes," said Gary Chain, the fuels manager. "Many of us have been doing this so long that we may sometime become set in our processes. The military members often have new ideas and that different approach helps sometimes."

Lieutenant Frederik, who is due to move to his next duty assignment in a few months, said he feels he has played an important support role in the Air Force mission here. He knows the grueling testing is vital to the safety of pilots and the troops on the ground, he said.

"Here you know what your role is in the greater Air Force, you know how you are helping the pilots and to defend freedom," he said.