Col. Merryl Tengesdal Flies Under the Radar, but Beyond Limitations

Retired Col. Merryl Tengesdal is the first and currently the only Black woman to fly a U-2 spy plane, which the Air Force utilizes for high-altitude reconnaissance missions. Before this achievement, Tengesdal first served in the Navy and started off flying helicopters after graduating from the University of New Haven. She went on to become an instructor pilot, training Navy and Air Force students at Joint Student Undergraduate Pilot Training.
Tengesdal transferred to the Air Force when her Naval obligation was complete, where she became the first Black woman to fly a U-2 spy plane. “I try not to get caught up in being the only Black female. I just want to keep being inspirational and motivational for other people,” Tengesdal said. “I appreciate that people recognize that, but I try not to think about it too much.”