Merryl Tengesdal

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]

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."

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]

• 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

	Command Air Force Pilot Badge
	United States Naval Aviator Badge
	Air Force Inspector General Badge
	Air Force Commander's Insignia

	Legion of Merit Medal
	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

• ACC Aerospace Physiologist of the Year 2008

• 1994 – Bachelor of Science 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[6]