In the 20th century, women achieved significant progress in emancipation, gaining freedom from dependence on men, lifting restrictions on pursuing various professions, and obtaining equal rights with the stronger half of humanity. Today, there are female admirals, corporate executives, Olympic champions, and pilots. One such woman is Merryl Tengesdal, a Bronx native and high-altitude pilot. Her story is featured in bronx-yes.
Childhood Dreams of Merryl Tengesdal
As reported by New Haven, Merryl Tengesdal was born in 1971 in the Bronx. Raised by a single mother, Merryl lacked a father figure, but she developed big dreams early on. Her aspiration to become a pilot was sparked by watching the TV series Star Trek when she was seven years old. She imagined herself as a pilot or navigator, sitting in the cockpit of an interplanetary starship, charting her own course through space. She dreamed of flying among millions of stars, thousands of miles above Earth’s surface. Her imagination often transformed into finger movements mimicking the actions she believed space pilots performed while steering their ships. Her favorite characters were Pavel Chekov and Captain Kirk.
Despite growing up in a challenging environment where drugs and alcohol were prevalent, Merryl held on to her dream, which kept her focused and determined.
Education at School
As Merryl grew older, she realized that achieving her dream of becoming a pilot required strong mathematical skills. She diligently studied math and science subjects, which helped solidify her plans to attend college and pursue flight training.
Success in College and University
Even in high school, Merryl showed an interest in mechanics and engineering. At 15 or 16, she learned about the Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) offered at SUNY Binghamton, a state college in New York. This program provided her with another stepping stone toward her goal.
She later attended the University of New Haven in Connecticut, guided by advice from a Bronx neighbor. This neighbor introduced her to the university’s electrical engineering and aviation programs, which led her to enroll. Merryl graduated in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering, becoming one of just three women to complete the program. While at university, she played basketball and joined the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC).
Merryl often recalls her university years with gratitude. She benefited from the mentorship of Professor Richard Morrison, an expert in electrical engineering who introduced her to advanced concepts such as acoustic wave sensors early in her studies. He encouraged her to participate in summer engineering programs and even drove her to and from training sessions in Maine.
Merryl also enjoyed the university’s multicultural environment, meeting students from Israel, Greece, and even Russia. In 2013, the University of New Haven honored her with its “Outstanding Alumni” award and an honorary doctorate in engineering sciences. Merryl was deeply moved by this recognition and jokingly noted that she earned a doctorate faster than her husband, who was still working on his dissertation at the time.
Merryl Tengesdal’s Career
Merryl’s university education opened doors to a military career. She served in the Navy for 10 years, flying helicopters across the Middle East, South America, and the Caribbean. She then became a flight instructor. In 2004, she joined the U-2 pilot program, becoming one of only five women to fly the U-2, a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft used by the CIA for intelligence gathering. Merryl remains the only African American woman in history to pilot the “Dragon Lady,” as the U-2 is known. Pilots of this aircraft don’t count their missions but the hours spent in the cockpit—Merryl logged over 1,000 hours, including 330 in combat.
Flying the U-2 fulfilled her childhood dream of soaring near the stars. She later commanded a team responsible for testing and maintaining the aircraft, worked in the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), and contributed to high-level strategic document integration. Afterward, she returned to California as deputy commander of an operational task force and served as the general inspector at Beale Air Force Base.
While building her career, Merryl continued her education. She completed advanced training programs through the Air Force and private universities. In 2005, she graduated from the Air Command and Staff College in Alabama, earned a master’s degree in aeronautical science in Florida in 2008, and attended the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base in 2011. Her final role before retiring in 2017 was as Director of Inspections for the Pentagon’s Office of the Inspector General.
Personal Life and Hollywood Career
During her service, Merryl married Kjell Tengesdal. After retiring from the military, she transitioned to roles as a personal trainer, author, leadership consultant, and motivational speaker.
Her illustrious career caught the attention of Hollywood producers, leading to her participation in the CBS series Tough as Nails. This show highlights hardworking Americans who test their strength, endurance, and resilience. Merryl successfully auditioned for the series, becoming one of 12 contestants. She compared the production process to her military experience, noting the rigorous demands and challenges, which were further compounded by pandemic-related restrictions.
Outside of filming, Merryl focuses on fitness, particularly rehabilitation exercises after a hip replacement. She also enjoys mentoring young people, inspiring them to pursue their dreams and innovate. Merryl frequently connects with students from the University of New Haven, encouraging them to question traditional norms, such as long commutes and the 40-hour work week, and to envision better solutions for the future.
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