Merryl Tengesdal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Colonel
Merryl (David) Tengesdal
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | The Bronx, New York |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |
 United States Navy United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1994–2017 |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Commands held | Det 2/WR-ALC Plant 42 |
| Battles/wars | Operation Enduring Freedom Iraq War |
| Awards |
|
| Spouse(s) | Kjell Tengesdal |
Merryl Tengesdal, born in 1971, is an American military officer who is now retired. She made history as the first and only Black woman to fly the United States Air Force's U-2 spy plane. This special plane is used for high-altitude reconnaissance missions, which means gathering information from far above.
Merryl is one of only five women and the fourth Black person to join the U-2 program. This program started in 2004. The U-2 plane is often called "The Dragon Lady," and Merryl shares this nickname.
She served in both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force. From 2015 to 2017, she was the Director of Inspections for the Air Force Inspector General. She retired as a Colonel in the U.S. Air Force. Merryl also served during the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan.
Contents
Merryl Tengesdal's Journey
Early Life and Education
Merryl David was born in The Bronx, New York. From a young age, she was very interested in flying and space. Her dream was to become an astronaut.
She went to the University of New Haven and earned a Bachelor of Science degree. She studied electrical engineering, and she was one of only three women to finish that program. While in college, she played on the basketball team. She also joined the ROTC, which prepares students for military service.
After college, Merryl joined the Navy. She was accepted into Officer Candidate School and became an officer in 1994. She started her career as a Naval Aviator, flying the SH-60B Seahawk Helicopter. Her base was in Naval Station Mayport, Florida.
During her time flying helicopters, she went on two long trips and many shorter ones. These trips took her to the Middle East, South America, and the Caribbean. After three years of flying helicopters, Merryl became an instructor pilot. She taught others to fly the T-34C and T-6A planes.
She was one of four Navy instructors who trained both Navy and Air Force students. This training happened at Moody Air Force Base in Georgia. Her former flight instructor, Commander Ron Robinson, said she was one of his best students. He was not surprised by her success.
Joining the Air Force
After her time in the Navy, Merryl decided to continue her military career. She transferred to the Air Force to fly the special Lockheed U-2S Dragon Lady plane. This plane was based at Beale Air Force Base in Northern California.
In 2004, she was promoted to Major and began flying the U-2. She was the first African-American woman to fly this unique aircraft. She flew the U-2 in many places to support important missions. These missions included Operations OLIVE HARVEST, ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, and HORN OF AFRICA.
While at Beale AFB, she held important jobs. She was the Chief of Flight Safety for the 9th Reconnaissance Wing. She also directed operations for the 9th Physiological Support Squadron.
Merryl later married and took the last name Tengesdal. After her time at Beale AFB, she became a Detachment Commander. She was in charge of flight tests and maintenance for the U-2S aircraft. She also worked at NORAD and U.S. Northern Command. There, she helped figure out what the military needed to improve.
Tengesdal returned to Beale AFB and served as Deputy Operations Group Commander. She also became the Inspector General for the 9th Reconnaissance Wing.
Advanced Training and Retirement
Merryl Tengesdal continued her education while serving. In 2005, she took classes at the Air Command and Staff College. In 2008, she earned a Master's degree in Aeronautical Science. She got this degree from Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University. She also studied at the Air War College in 2011.
In October 2015, she was promoted to Colonel. Her final job was as the Director of Inspections for the Air Force Inspector General. In this role, she helped create and manage Air Force inspection policies. She made sure the Air Force was ready, efficient, and followed all rules.
In 2017, Colonel Tengesdal retired from the Air Force. She had flown for more than 3,400 hours, with 330 hours in combat. Over 1,000 of her flight hours were in the U-2 spy plane.
Aircraft Flown
Merryl Tengesdal is a Command Pilot. She has flown many different aircraft, including:
- T-34C
- TH-57 B/C
- SH-60B
- T-6A
- T-38A/B/C
- U-2S
Awards and Honors
Merryl Tengesdal has received many awards and honors for her service:
- Legion of Merit
- Defense Meritorious Service Medal
- Meritorious Service Medal (with two oak leaf clusters)
- Air Medal
- Air Force Commendation Medal
- Navy Achievement Medal
- Joint Meritorious Unit Award (with oak leaf cluster)
- Air Force Meritorious Unit Award
- Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (with silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters)
- Air Force Recognition Ribbon
- National Defense Service Medal (with bronze service star)
- Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
- Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
- Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (with bronze service star)
- Air Force Longevity Service Award (with two bronze oak leaf clusters)
- Air Force Training Ribbon
- She was named ACC Aerospace Physiologist of the Year in 2008.
Education Details
- 1994 – Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, University of New Haven, Connecticut
- 2005 – Air Command and Staff College, Non-Resident Program, Maxwell AFB, Alabama
- 2008 – Masters of Aeronautical Science, Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida
- 2011 – Air War College, Non-Resident Program, Maxwell AFB, AL
- 2021 – Doctor of Engineering (honorary), University of New Haven, Connecticut
Personal Life
Merryl Tengesdal is married to Kjell Tengesdal. They have two children. After retiring from the military, she became a personal trainer. She is also an author, a leadership consultant, and a motivational speaker.
In 2013, her old college, the University of New Haven, gave her a special award. It was called the Distinguished Alumni award. In 2021, Merryl was a contestant on the TV show Tough as Nails. This was during the second season of the CBS reality series. She was part of the "Team Savage Crew."
See also
Images for kids
-
Command Air Force Pilot Badge
-
United States Naval Aviator Badge
-
Air Force Inspector General Badge
-
Air Force Commander's Insignia
