Merryl Tengesdal: podcast appearances and interviews

Merryl Tengesdal, born in 1971, is a retired American military officer known for her service as a U-2 spy plane pilot. She is the first and only Black woman to fly the United States Air Force's U-2 aircraft, which is used for specialized high-altitude reconnaissance missions. Tengesdal is one of five women and the fourth Black person to have been in the U-2 program as of 2004. She shares the aircraft's nickname, The Dragon Lady. Throughout her career, she served as a military veteran, aviator, and commander, working in both the United States Navy and the United States Air Force. From October 2015 to August 2017, she served as the Director of Inspections for The Air Force Inspector General. She retired from the Air Force at the rank of Colonel. Tengesdal's military career includes service in both the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan, reflecting her extensive experience in military operations and aviation.