Merryl Tengesdal is a retired military officer known for being the first and only Black woman to fly the U-2 spy plane, contributing significantly to high-altitude reconnaissance missions.
The U-2 earned its nickname due to its demanding flight characteristics, requiring immense skill to pilot, much like the unpredictable nature of the “Dragon Lady” character in the “Terry and the Pirates” comic strip.
Merryl has flown various aircraft, including the T-34C, TH-57 B/C, SH-60B, T-6A, T-38A/B/C, and, most notably, the U-2S.
Merryl began with a deep interest in flying and space, served in the Navy flying the SH-60B Seahawk Helicopter, and later transitioned to the Air Force, where she piloted the U-2.