Merryl Tengesdal
Colonel Merryl (David) Tengesdal | |
|---|---|
| Born | The Bronx, New York |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Navy United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1994–2017 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Commands | Det 2/WR-ALC Plant 42 |
| Battles / wars | Operation Enduring Freedom Iraq War |
| Awards | |
| Spouse(s) | Kjell Tengesdal |
Merryl Tengesdal (born 1971) is an American retired career military officer who is the first and only Black woman to fly the United States Air Force's U-2 spy plane used for specialized high-altitude reconnaissance missions. She is one of five women and only the fourth Black person (in 2004) to be in the U-2 program. She shares the plane's nickname, The Dragon Lady.
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, retiring at the rank of United States Air Force Colonel.
Tengesdal had also served in the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan.