In this interview with Col. Merryl Tengesdal, USAF (ret.) @dragonlady788, the only Black woman to fly the U2 reconnaissance plane and a contestant on the reality television series TOUGH AS NAILS, she talks about growing up in the Bronx, her start in aviation with the Navy, flying H60 helicopters at sea, challenges with supervisors, the difference in Navy and Air Force aviation cultures, the importance of mentoring and how to find mentors, flying the U2 and how to become a U2 pilot, parenting and how it affects career choices, the journey of fostering to adoption, participating in TOUGH AS NAILS, and the transition from military to civilian life.

Shatter the Sky: What going to the stratosphere taught me about self-worth, sacrifice, and discipline

Liz Booker is a retired Coast Guard helicopter pilot and writer for young adults. She hosts the Aviatrix Book Club and the Aviatrix Book Review Website and Podcast. This episode is a rebroadcast of the Aviatrix Book Review in collaboration with

Coming Home Well. You can find Liz @LiteraryAviatrix on social media.

Tune into our CHW Streaming Radio and the full lineup at cominghomewell.com

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