Jump to content

Merryl Tengesdal: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
 
(33 intermediate revisions by 12 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|American U-2 pilot}}
{{short description|American U-2 pilot}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{BLP sources|date=September 2016}}
{{more citations needed|date=September 2016}}
}}


{{Use American English|date=May 2016}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
| honorific_prefix = Colonel
| honorific_prefix = Colonel
| name = Merryl Tengesdal
| name = Merryl (David) Tengesdal
| honorific_suffix =
| honorific_suffix =
| image = Merryl.jpg
| image = Merryl.jpg
Line 20: Line 16:
| nickname =
| nickname =
| birth_date = <!-- {{birth date and age|1971|MM|DD}} or {{birth date|YYYY|MM|DD}} if dead -->
| birth_date = <!-- {{birth date and age|1971|MM|DD}} or {{birth date|YYYY|MM|DD}} if dead -->
| birth_place =
| birth_place = The Bronx, New York
| death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} death date first, then birth date -->
| death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} death date first, then birth date -->
| death_place =
| death_place =
Line 28: Line 24:
| allegiance = {{flag|United States}}
| allegiance = {{flag|United States}}
| branch = {{flag|United States Navy}}<br>{{flag|United States Air Force}}
| branch = {{flag|United States Navy}}<br>{{flag|United States Air Force}}
| serviceyears = 1994-2017
| serviceyears = 1994–2017
| rank = [[File:US-O6 insignia.svg|18px]] [[Colonel (United States)|Colonel]]
| rank = [[File:US-O6 insignia.svg|18px]] [[Colonel (United States)|Colonel]]
| servicenumber = <!-- Do not use data from primary sources such as service records -->
| servicenumber = <!-- Do not use data from primary sources such as service records -->
Line 41: Line 37:
}}
}}
| memorials =
| memorials =
| spouse = <!-- Add spouse if reliably sourced -->
| spouse = Kjell Tengesdal<!-- Add spouse if reliably sourced -->
| relations =
| relations =
| laterwork =
| laterwork =
Line 50: Line 46:
| module =
| module =
}}
}}
Colonel '''Merryl Tengesdal''' (born 1971)<ref name="ColoradoSpringsGazette">{{cite news|last=Sutherland|first=Andrea|url=http://gazette.com/u-2-pilot-says-fascination-with-space-flying-started-early/article/113370|title=U-2 pilot says fascination with space, flying started early|date= 22 February 2011| work = [[The Gazette (Colorado Springs)|The Gazette]] |access-date= 19 June 2015}}</ref> is the first and only [[African American]] woman to fly the [[United States Air Force]]'s [[Lockheed U-2|U-2]] spy plane which is used for specialized high-altitude [[reconnaissance mission]]s.<ref name="Cummings">{{cite web|last1=Cummings|first1=Air Force Senior Airman Bobby|title=Face of Defense: U-2 Pilot Blazes Trail|url=http://www.defense.gov/News-Article-View/Article/604092/face-of-defense-u-2-pilot-blazes-trail|website=U. S. Department of Defense|accessdate=12 April 2016}}</ref>
'''Merryl Tengesdal''' (born 1971)<ref name="ColoradoSpringsGazette">{{cite news |last=Sutherland |first=Andrea |date=22 February 2011 |title=U-2 pilot says fascination with space, flying started early |work=[[The Gazette (Colorado Springs)]] |url=https://gazette.com/news/u-2-pilot-says-fascination-with-space-flying-started-early/article_50e24078-5281-5906-9560-c78b52466667.html |access-date=1 August 2022}}</ref> is an American retired career military officer who is the first and only Black woman<ref name="Cummings" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Steele |first=Ty |date=2021-11-05 |title=Merryl Tengesdal, world's first and only Black woman U-2 pilot, writes book about her life |url=https://www.kcra.com/article/merryl-tengesdal-worlds-first-and-only-black-woman-u-2-pilot-writes-book-about-her-life/38175438 |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=KCRA |language=en}}</ref> to fly the [[United States Air Force]]'s [[Lockheed U-2|U-2]] spy plane used for specialized high-altitude [[reconnaissance mission]]s.<ref name="Cummings">{{cite web |last1=Cummings |first1=Air Force Senior Airman Bobby |title=Face of Defense: U-2 Pilot Blazes Trail |url=https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/604092/face-of-defense-u-2-pilot-blazes-trail/ |access-date=1 August 2022 |website=U. S. Department of Defense}}</ref> She is one of five women and only the fourth Black person (in 2004) to be in the U-2 program.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blansett |first=Sarah |date=2022-07-07 |title=Black Female U-2 Pilot Broke Barriers on the Ground and in the Air |url=https://www.military.com/history/black-female-u2-pilot-broke-barriers.html |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=Military.com |language=en}}</ref> She shares the plane's nickname, The Dragon Lady.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Life Lessons in the Stratosphere and Defying Expectations with U-2 Pilot Merryl Tengesdal |url=https://www.whenwomenfly.com/podcast/defying-expectations-pilot-merryl-tengesdal |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=When Women Fly Podcast |language=en-US}}</ref>

Tengesdal is a military veteran, aviator, and commander who served in both the [[United States Navy|US Navy]] and the [[United States Air Force|US Air Force]]. She served as Director of Inspections for The Air Force Inspector General from October 2015 through August 2017,<ref name=":1" /> retiring at the rank of United States Air Force Colonel.

Tengesdal had also served in the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan.


==Biography==
==Biography==
===Early life===
Merryl Tengesdal is a military veteran and former Director of Inspections who served for The Air Force Inspector General from October 2015 through August 2017.  A retired United States Air Force Colonel, Tengesdal served in the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan. 
Born Merryl David in [[The Bronx]], [[New York (state)|New York]],<ref name="Cummings" /> she attended local schools and developed an early interest in flying and the space program. Her goal was to be an astronaut.

She graduated from the [[University of New Haven]] with a Bachelor of Science degree in [[electrical engineering]], one of three women to complete the program.<ref name="ColoradoSpringsGazette" /><ref name=":0" /> She played on the basketball team and was in the [[Reserve Officers' Training Corps|ROTC]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title='Tough As Nails' Alumna Recognized for Determination, Grit, and Exemplary Career |url=https://www.newhaven.edu/news/blog/2021/merryl-tengesdal.php |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=University of New Haven |language=en}}</ref>

=== Navy service ===
She entered the Navy and was admitted to [[Officer Candidate School]], where she was commissioned in 1994 after graduation.<ref name="Cummings" /> David began a career as a Naval Aviator by flying the [[SH-60B Seahawk]] Helicopter at [[Naval Station Mayport]], Florida.<ref name="Cummings" /> During that time, she deployed on two long cruises and multiple short cruises to the Middle East, South America, and the Caribbean.<ref name="ColoradoSpringsGazette" />

After a three-year sea tour in helicopters, David became a [[T-34C]] and [[T-6A]] Instructor Pilot. After completing T-6A Instructor Training, she became one of four Navy T-6A Instructors to train Navy and Air Force students at Joint Student Undergraduate Pilot Training ([[Air Education and Training Command|JSUPT]]) at [[Moody Air Force Base]], Georgia. Her Navy flight instructor, Commander Ron Robinson, said that she "was one of my best flight students, and it doesn't surprise me that she's doing so well."

===Air Force service===
After David completed her Navy obligation, she continued her military career by transferring to the Air Force to fly the [[Lockheed U-2S]] Dragon Lady at [[Beale Air Force Base]] in [[Northern California]]. She was promoted to Major and began flying the U-2 in 2004, the first African-American woman to do so.<ref name="ColoradoSpringsGazette" /><ref name="Cummings" /> Continuing to fly it, she was deployed to multiple locations in support of Operations OLIVE HARVEST, [[Operation Enduring Freedom|ENDURING FREEDOM]], [[Iraq War|IRAQI FREEDOM]], and [[Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa|HORN OF AFRICA]].<ref name="Cummings" /> While stationed at Beale AFB the first time, she held the positions of [[9th Reconnaissance Wing]] (9th RW) Chief of Flight Safety and 9th Physiological Support Squadron Director of Operations.

She married and took the surname Tengesdal. After her tour at Beale AFB, Tengesdal became the Detachment Commander of Detachment 2 WR/ALC [[Palmdale, California]], where she was in charge of flight test and Program Depot Maintenance for the U-2S aircraft. Thereafter, Tengesdal worked at the North American Aerospace Defense Command ([[NORAD]])<ref name="ColoradoSpringsGazette" /> and [[United States Northern Command|U.S. Northern Command]] (NORTHCOM) J8 staff. As Chief of Studies and Assessments Branch, she was responsible for developing the Command's position on capability gap assessment(s), development, and integration for senior-level documents submitted to the Joint Staff. Tengesdal returned to Beale and held the positions of Deputy Operations Group Commander and Inspector General, 9th RW, Beale AFB, CA.


During these years, Tengesdal received advanced training and graduate education through Air Force and private university sources. In 2005, she took classes at the [[Air Command and Staff College]], Non-Resident Program, [[Maxwell AFB]], Alabama. Later she completed a Masters of Aeronautical Science in 2008 at [[Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University]], Florida. In 2011, she did additional studies at the [[Air War College]], Non-Resident Program, again at Maxwell AFB.
A native of [[The Bronx]], [[New York (state)|New York]], Tengesdal is a graduate from the [[University of New Haven]] with a Science Degree in [[electrical engineering]]. She was one of three women to make it through the program.<ref name="ColoradoSpringsGazette"/> After [[Officer Candidate School]] commissioning, she began a career as a Naval Aviator by flying the [[SH-60B Seahawk]] Helicopter at [[Naval Station Mayport]], Florida. During that time, she deployed on two long cruises and multiple short cruises to the Middle East, South America and the Caribbean. After a three-year sea tour in helicopters, Colonel Tengesdal went on to become a [[T-34C]] and [[T-6A]] Instructor Pilot. After completing T-6A Instructor Training, she became one of four Navy T-6A Instructors to train Navy and Air Force students at Joint Student Undergraduate Pilot Training (JSUPT) at [[Moody Air Force Base]], GA. Her former Navy flight instructor, Commander Ron Robinson, has said that Merryl David (maiden name) "was one of my best flight students, and it doesn't surprise me that she's doing so well."


Once she completed her Navy obligation, she continued her military career by transferring over to the Air Force to fly the [[Lockheed U-2S]] Dragon Lady at [[Beale Air Force Base]] in [[Northern California]]. Tengesdal was deployed to multiple locations in support of Operations OLIVE HARVEST, [[Operation Enduring Freedom|ENDURING FREEDOM]], [[Iraq War|IRAQI FREEDOM]] and [[Operation Enduring Freedom – Horn of Africa|HORN OF AFRICA]]. While stationed at Beale AFB the first time, she held the positions of [[9th Reconnaissance Wing]] (9th RW) Chief of Flight Safety and 9th Physiological Support Squadron Director of Operations. After her tour at Beale AFB, Tengesdal continued her career by becoming the Detachment Commander of Detachment 2 WR/ALC Palmdale, California where she was in charge of flight test and Program Depot Maintenance for the U-2S aircraft. Thereafter, Tengesdal worked at the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) J8 staff. As Chief of Studies and Assessments Branch, she was responsible for developing the Command's position on capability gap assessment(s), development and integration for senior-level documents submitted to the Joint Staff. Colonel Tengesdal returned to Beale and held the positions of Deputy Operations Group Commander and Inspector General, 9th RW, Beale AFB, CA. Tengesdal's final duty was as the Director of Inspections for [[Inspector General of the Air Force|The Inspector General (TIG) of the Air Force]], Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, Pentagon, Washington DC. The Inspections Directorate develops, revises, coordinates, and implements Air Force inspection policy, and provides oversight and reporting of inspection programs to TIG, [[Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force|Chief of Staff of the Air Force]], and [[Secretary of the Air Force]] on the readiness, economy, efficiency, compliance and state of discipline of the Air Force. Tengesdal is also the Executive Secretary of the Air Force Inspection System Council.
Tengesdal's final duty, beginning in October 2015 with a promotion to Colonel, was as Director of Inspections for [[Inspector General of the Air Force|The Inspector General (TIG) of the Air Force]], Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, Pentagon, Washington DC. The Inspections Directorate develops, revises, coordinates, and implements Air Force inspection policy, and provides oversight and reporting of inspection programs to TIG, [[Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force|Chief of Staff of the Air Force]], and [[Secretary of the Air Force]] on the readiness, economy, efficiency, compliance and state of discipline of the Air Force. Tengesdal was also served as Executive Secretary of the Air Force Inspection System Council.


In 2017, Tengesdal retired from the Air Force as a colonel, with more than 3,400 flight hours and 330 combat hours.<ref name="Cummings" /> Over 1,000 of those flight hours are in the U-2.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Ward |first=J. T. |date=2019 |title=Talking to: Merryl Tengesdal: Serene under pressure |url=https://issuu.com/university-of-new-haven/docs/university_of_new_haven_spring_2019_alumni_magazin/s/12180783 |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=issuu |publisher=University of New Haven Alumni Magazine |language=en}}</ref>
In 2017, Tengesdal retired from the Air Force as a colonel.


===Flight rating===
===Flight rating===
* Rating: Command Pilot
* Rating: Command Pilot
* Flight Hours{{spaced ndash}} more than 3,400 with over 330 combat hours
* Flight Hours: more than 3,400 with over 330 combat hours<ref name="Cummings" />
* Aircraft Flown{{spaced ndash}} [[T-34C]], [[TH-57]] B/C, [[SH-60B]], [[T-6A]], [[Northrop T-38 Talon|T-38A]]/B/C, U-2S
* Aircraft Flown: [[T-34C]], [[TH-57]] B/C, [[SH-60B]], [[T-6A]], [[Northrop T-38 Talon|T-38A]]/B/C, U-2S


===Assignments===
===Assignments===
Line 83: Line 96:
* Commander Det 2/WR-ALC [[Plant 42]], Palmdale, California, November 2008 – December 2010
* Commander Det 2/WR-ALC [[Plant 42]], Palmdale, California, November 2008 – December 2010
* NORAD/NORTHCOM J8 Staff, [[Peterson AFB]], Colorado, December 2010 – August 2013
* NORAD/NORTHCOM J8 Staff, [[Peterson AFB]], Colorado, December 2010 – August 2013
* Deputy Operations Group Commander, 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Beale AFB, California, September 2013 – 2014
* Deputy Operations Group Commander, 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Beale AFB, California, September 2013–2014
* Inspector General, 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Beale AFB, California, September 2014 - October 2015
* Inspector General, 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Beale AFB, California, September 2014 – October 2015
* Director of Inspections, Office of the Air Force Inspector General, Washington, October 2015 – August 2017
* Director of Inspections, Office of the Air Force Inspector General, Washington, October 2015 – August 2017


Line 167: Line 180:
* 2008{{spaced ndash}} Masters of Aeronautical Science, [[Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University]], Florida
* 2008{{spaced ndash}} Masters of Aeronautical Science, [[Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University]], Florida
* 2011{{spaced ndash}} Air War College, Non-Resident Program, [[Maxwell AFB]], AL
* 2011{{spaced ndash}} Air War College, Non-Resident Program, [[Maxwell AFB]], AL
* 2021{{spaced ndash}} Doctor of Engineering (honorary), University of New Haven, Connecticut<ref name=":2" />


===Effective dates of promotion===
===Effective dates of promotion===
Line 179: Line 193:


== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==
In 2021 it was announced that Tengesdal would compete on the [[Tough as Nails (season 2)|second season]] of the CBS reality competition series, ''[[Tough as Nails]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Bloom|first1=Mike|title=We're Ready to Punch the Clock! Meet the Full Cast of Tough as Nails Season 2|url=https://parade.com/1145748/mikebloom/tough-as-nails-season-2-cast/|website=Parade|date=7 January 2021|accessdate=7 January 2021}}</ref>
Tengesdal is married to Kjell Tengesdal<ref name=":3" /> and has two children.<ref name=":2" /> She is a personal trainer, author, leadership consultant, and motivational speaker.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Citation |title=Merryl Tengesdal – Tough As Nails Cast Member |url=https://www.cbs.com/shows/tough-as-nails/cast/216480/ |language=en |access-date=2022-08-01}}</ref>

In 2013, her alma mater, the University of New Haven, Connecticut, gave her the Distinguished Alumni award.<ref name=":2" />

In 2021, Tengesdal was a competitor on the [[Tough as Nails (season 2)|second season]] of the [[CBS]] reality series ''[[Tough as Nails]]''.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{cite web|last1=Bloom|first1=Mike|title=We're Ready to Punch the Clock! Meet the Full Cast of Tough as Nails Season 2|url=https://parade.com/1145748/mikebloom/tough-as-nails-season-2-cast/|website=Parade|date=7 January 2021|access-date=7 January 2021}}</ref> She was on Team Savage Crew.


==See also==
==See also==
Line 188: Line 206:
==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

* Tengesdal, M. (2022). ''Shatter the sky''. {{ISBN|9781737907312}}


==External links==
==External links==
Line 206: Line 226:
[[Category:Air Command and Staff College alumni]]
[[Category:Air Command and Staff College alumni]]
[[Category:Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University alumni]]
[[Category:Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University alumni]]
[[Category:Helicopter pilots]]
[[Category:Women helicopter pilots]]
[[Category:Military personnel from New York City]]
[[Category:Military personnel from the Bronx]]
⚫
[[Category:People from the Bronx]]
[[Category:United States Air Force colonels]]
[[Category:United States Air Force colonels]]
[[Category:Female United States Navy officers]]
[[Category:Female United States Navy officers]]
Line 214: Line 233:
[[Category:Female officers of the United States Air Force]]
[[Category:Female officers of the United States Air Force]]
[[Category:African-American women aviators]]
[[Category:African-American women aviators]]
⚫
[[Category:American women aviators]]
[[Category:African-American aviators]]
[[Category:African-American aviators]]
[[Category:Aviators from New York (state)]]
[[Category:Aviators from New York (state)]]
Line 220: Line 240:
[[Category:20th-century African-American women]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American women]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American people]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American people]]
[[Category:21st-century American women]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American women]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American women]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American people]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American military personnel]]
[[Category:Participants in American reality television series]]
[[Category:Participants in American reality television series]]
[[Category:African-American United States Air Force personnel]]
[[Category:African-American United States Navy personnel]]

Latest revision as of 23:42, 17 August 2024

Colonel

Merryl (David) Tengesdal
BornThe Bronx, New York
Allegiance Vereinigte Staaten
Service/branch United States Navy
 United States Air Force
Years of service1994–2017
Rank Colonel
CommandsDet 2/WR-ALC Plant 42
Battles/warsOperation Enduring Freedom
Iraq War
Awards
Spouse(s)Kjell Tengesdal

Merryl Tengesdal (born 1971)[1] is an American retired career military officer who is the first and only Black woman[2][3] to fly the United States Air Force's U-2 spy plane used for specialized high-altitude reconnaissance missions.[2] She is one of five women and only the fourth Black person (in 2004) to be in the U-2 program.[4] She shares the plane's nickname, The Dragon Lady.[5]

Tengesdal is a military veteran, aviator, and commander who served in both the US Navy and the US Air Force. She served as Director of Inspections for The Air Force Inspector General from October 2015 through August 2017,[5] retiring at the rank of United States Air Force Colonel.

Tengesdal had also served in the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan.

Biography

[edit]

Early life

[edit]

Born Merryl David in The Bronx, New York,[2] she attended local schools and developed an early interest in flying and the space program. Her goal was to be an astronaut.

She graduated from the University of New Haven with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering, one of three women to complete the program.[1][3] She played on the basketball team and was in the ROTC.[6]

[edit]

She entered the Navy and was admitted to Officer Candidate School, where she was commissioned in 1994 after graduation.[2] David began a career as a Naval Aviator by flying the SH-60B Seahawk Helicopter at Naval Station Mayport, Florida.[2] During that time, she deployed on two long cruises and multiple short cruises to the Middle East, South America, and the Caribbean.[1]

After a three-year sea tour in helicopters, David became a T-34C and T-6A Instructor Pilot. After completing T-6A Instructor Training, she became one of four Navy T-6A Instructors to train Navy and Air Force students at Joint Student Undergraduate Pilot Training (JSUPT) at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. Her Navy flight instructor, Commander Ron Robinson, said that she "was one of my best flight students, and it doesn't surprise me that she's doing so well."

Air Force service

[edit]

After David completed her Navy obligation, she continued her military career by transferring to the Air Force to fly the Lockheed U-2S Dragon Lady at Beale Air Force Base in Northern California. She was promoted to Major and began flying the U-2 in 2004, the first African-American woman to do so.[1][2] Continuing to fly it, she was deployed to multiple locations in support of Operations OLIVE HARVEST, ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM, and HORN OF AFRICA.[2] While stationed at Beale AFB the first time, she held the positions of 9th Reconnaissance Wing (9th RW) Chief of Flight Safety and 9th Physiological Support Squadron Director of Operations.

She married and took the surname Tengesdal. After her tour at Beale AFB, Tengesdal became the Detachment Commander of Detachment 2 WR/ALC Palmdale, California, where she was in charge of flight test and Program Depot Maintenance for the U-2S aircraft. Thereafter, Tengesdal worked at the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD)[1] and U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) J8 staff. As Chief of Studies and Assessments Branch, she was responsible for developing the Command's position on capability gap assessment(s), development, and integration for senior-level documents submitted to the Joint Staff. Tengesdal returned to Beale and held the positions of Deputy Operations Group Commander and Inspector General, 9th RW, Beale AFB, CA.

During these years, Tengesdal received advanced training and graduate education through Air Force and private university sources. In 2005, she took classes at the Air Command and Staff College, Non-Resident Program, Maxwell AFB, Alabama. Later she completed a Masters of Aeronautical Science in 2008 at Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida. In 2011, she did additional studies at the Air War College, Non-Resident Program, again at Maxwell AFB.

Tengesdal's final duty, beginning in October 2015 with a promotion to Colonel, was as Director of Inspections for The Inspector General (TIG) of the Air Force, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, Pentagon, Washington DC. The Inspections Directorate develops, revises, coordinates, and implements Air Force inspection policy, and provides oversight and reporting of inspection programs to TIG, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and Secretary of the Air Force on the readiness, economy, efficiency, compliance and state of discipline of the Air Force. Tengesdal was also served as Executive Secretary of the Air Force Inspection System Council.

In 2017, Tengesdal retired from the Air Force as a colonel, with more than 3,400 flight hours and 330 combat hours.[2] Over 1,000 of those flight hours are in the U-2.[7]

Flight rating

[edit]
  • Rating: Command Pilot
  • Flight Hours: more than 3,400 with over 330 combat hours[2]
  • Aircraft Flown: T-34C, TH-57 B/C, SH-60B, T-6A, T-38A/B/C, U-2S

Assignments

[edit]
  • Officer Candidate School, NAS Pensacola, Florida, June 1994 – September 1994
  • Aviation Pre-Flight Indoctrination, NAS Pensacola, Florida, September 1994 – March 1995
  • Primary Flight Training, NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, Squadron VT-27, March 1995 – September 1995
  • Helicopter Flight Training, NAS Pensacola, Florida, September 1995 – August 1996
  • SH-60B Fleet Replacement Squadron, NS Mayport, Florida, September 1996 – September 1997
  • SH-60B Pilot, NAS Mayport, Florida, September 1997 – June 2000
  • T-34C Pilot Instructor Training, NS Corpus Christi, Texas, June 2000 – December 2000
  • T-6A Pilot Instructor Training, Randolph AFB, Texas, December 2000 – October 2001
  • T-6A Instructor, Moody AFB, Georgia, October 2001 – March 2004
  • U-2 Student Pilot, Beale AFB, California, March 2004 – April 2005
  • U-2 Instructor Pilot/Sq Chief of Safety, Beale AFB, California, April 2005 – June 2006
  • U-2 Instructor Pilot/ Wing Chief of Flt Safety, Beale AFB, California, June 2006 – July 2007
  • U-2 /T38-A Instructor Pilot/9 PSPTS Director of Operations, Beale AFB, California, July 2007 – November 2008
  • Commander Det 2/WR-ALC Plant 42, Palmdale, California, November 2008 – December 2010
  • NORAD/NORTHCOM J8 Staff, Peterson AFB, Colorado, December 2010 – August 2013
  • Deputy Operations Group Commander, 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Beale AFB, California, September 2013–2014
  • Inspector General, 9th Reconnaissance Wing, Beale AFB, California, September 2014 – October 2015
  • Director of Inspections, Office of the Air Force Inspector General, Washington, October 2015 – August 2017

Awards and decorations

[edit]
Command Air Force Pilot Badge
United States Naval Aviator Badge
Air Force Inspector General Badge
Air Force Commander's Insignia
Width-44 crimson ribbon with a pair of width-2 white stripes on the edges Legion of Merit Medal
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Width-44 crimson ribbon with two width-8 white stripes at distance 4 from the edges.
 Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
Navy Achievement Medal
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Joint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award
Silver oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters
Air Force Recognition Ribbon
Bronze star
Width=44 scarlet ribbon with a central width-4 golden yellow stripe, flanked by pairs of width-1 scarlet, white, Old Glory blue, and white stripes
 National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Bronze star
 Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with bronze service star
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Air Force Longevity Service Award with two bronze oak leaf clusters
Air Force Training Ribbon
  • ACC Aerospace Physiologist of the Year 2008

Bildung

[edit]

Effective dates of promotion

[edit]
  • Ensign – 9 September 1994
  • Lieutenant Junior Grade – 9 September 1996
  • Lieutenant – 9 October 1998
  • Major – 5 April 2004
  • Lieutenant Colonel – 1 February 2010
  • Colonel – 1 October 2015

Personal life

[edit]

Tengesdal is married to Kjell Tengesdal[7] and has two children.[6] She is a personal trainer, author, leadership consultant, and motivational speaker.[6][5][8]

In 2013, her alma mater, the University of New Haven, Connecticut, gave her the Distinguished Alumni award.[6]

In 2021, Tengesdal was a competitor on the second season of the CBS reality series Tough as Nails.[6][9] She was on Team Savage Crew.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e Sutherland, Andrea (22 February 2011). "U-2 pilot says fascination with space, flying started early". The Gazette (Colorado Springs). Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Cummings, Air Force Senior Airman Bobby. "Face of Defense: U-2 Pilot Blazes Trail". U. S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  3. ^ a b Steele, Ty (5 November 2021). "Merryl Tengesdal, world's first and only Black woman U-2 pilot, writes book about her life". KCRA. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  4. ^ Blansett, Sarah (7 July 2022). "Black Female U-2 Pilot Broke Barriers on the Ground and in the Air". Military.com. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  5. ^ a b c "Life Lessons in the Stratosphere and Defying Expectations with U-2 Pilot Merryl Tengesdal". When Women Fly Podcast. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "'Tough As Nails' Alumna Recognized for Determination, Grit, and Exemplary Career". University of New Haven. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  7. ^ a b Ward, J. T. (2019). "Talking to: Merryl Tengesdal: Serene under pressure". issuu. University of New Haven Alumni Magazine. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  8. ^ Merryl Tengesdal – Tough As Nails Cast Member, retrieved 1 August 2022
  9. ^ Bloom, Mike (7 January 2021). "We're Ready to Punch the Clock! Meet the Full Cast of Tough as Nails Season 2". Parade. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Merryl Tengesdal.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Merryl_Tengesdal&oldid=1240875584"