A Man on a Mission

When he's not fixing helicopters or flying deployments, Steve Mlujeak is training for a spot on the 2004 U.S. Olympic Cycling Team. If he secures a position, he will be the first-ever military cyclist to represent the U.S. in the Olympics.

Mlujeak is one of the Armed Force's top cyclists, placing first among military competitors in the 2000 Olympic Trials, but falling just short of a slot in the games. While the flight mechanic may have missed his chance for a gold medal four years ago, he made cereal box history on a 2003 commemorative Cheerios box that honors five military athletes.

It all started when Mlujeak was 21 years old. He joined the Coast Guard after earning his automotive mechanic certification and figured maintaining aircraft would be more exciting than repairing cars. Mlujeak got his first taste of cycling while he was stationed onboard the Coast Guard Cutter YOCONA in Kodiak, Alaska waiting to go to the branch's aviation school.

"When I was in Alaska there wasn't much going on," recalled Mlujeak, who is currently stationed at the Coast Guard Air Station in Detroit, serving as a Flight Mechanic on the HH-65 Helicopter. "You could either hike, fish or go mountain bike racing. I had a blast."

Mlujeak was transferred to Cape Cod Massachusetts about a year later and met up with a buddy who was into bicycle road racing. So he purchased a road bike in 1991 and started training with other Coast Guard cyclists. At the beginning, he was satisfied to just finish races. But before too long he was able to work his way to a Category 2 cycling designation and finally landed a spot on the Armed Forces Cycling Team in 1996.

"Once I joined the Armed Forces Cycling team I started traveling outside the country," said Mlujeak, now a nine-year cycling veteran. "I've raced in France, Germany, Italy, Croatia and Poland." As part of his flight mechanic duties, Mlujeak has also been to Caribbean countries like Cuba, Costa Rica, and the Cayman Islands.

In 1997, Mlujeak transferred to the Coast Guard Air Station in Miami, Florida, one of the busiest air-sea rescue units in the world. He began track racing and quickly became one of the best cyclists in the state. During his Miami assignment he continued to work his way up the cycling ranks. He earned the Category 1 cyclist designation, the highest designation in the sport, and qualified for the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team Trials.

With the continual support of friends, family, his command, and the Armed Forces Sports program, he placed first among military competitors in the 2000 Olympic Trials. While he did not win a spot on the U.S. Olympic team, the experience left him hungry for victory and Mlujeak began making the necessary adjustments to ensure he got another chance in 2004. At age 34, the 2004 Olympic Cycling Trials may be his last shot at the gold. Mandatory retirement for cyclists is 40.

"I have a full-time coach now that can help me with training," said Mlujeak. "I did it on my own last time and I think I'll do better with an elite coach that helps me focus on nutrition and other aspects of preparation for this level of racing."

Mlujeak trains for up to 30 hours a week for the big race, which is scheduled for June. He gets up at 5 a.m. and bikes to work, hits the gym at lunch, bikes home after work and continues biking into the evening hours. Only the first place winner gets a guaranteed spot on the Olympic Team. About 180 athletes compete for the honor. In the mean time, Mlujeak is representing the Armed Forces in the Third Military World Games.

Making the Olympic Team would be a dream come true, but Mlujeak says his love for aviation and helping people will keep him in high spirits despite the outcome of the June race.

Mlujeak watched Coast Guard helicopters fly over his neighborhood as a child and always wanted to get into the cockpit. That dream has been realized many times over during his 14 years in the military.

"What's kind of neat about the Coast Guard is that we also get to fly on the aircraft that we work on," said Mlujeak. "I've flown as a drop master and on search and rescue missions. I get to sit just behind the pilot and have a good view of the dash and all the instruments. I back pilots up in the emergencies. Every day is a little different." — By Jennifer LeClaire