Deep Intel on the U-2 Spy Plane
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- Опубликовано: 10 сен 2024
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Colonel Merryl Tengesdal joins Ward to talk about her amazing military flying career, starting with U.S. Navy SH-60B helicopters and then pivoting to the legendary and mysterious U-2 spy plane.
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It was great working with you, Ward! Keep up the great work.
Never heard of this before; this is what the world needs right now. Thanks!
@WardCarroll, you should link her book in your description or pinned comment.
Merrill is an amazing woman.....Thanks Mooch & Colonel Merrill Tangestall for this awesome video.........
Shoe🇺🇸
Holy crap, I went through this entire video thinking Merryl was 30 or 35 years old at most, in my head saying "Man I'm so envious this 'kid' had such an amazing career" and then you got to the part where you talked about her service length/retiring and my jaw dropped. Turns out she has a few years on me, and for damn sure looks a lot younger than I do. I always thought that operating under that kind of pressure had to cause premature aging, but clearly either I was wrong or there are exceptions! Awesome content as always Mr Carroll, just ordered her book and am going to check out Ground News as well. Thank you not only for your service in our armed forces, but also your continued service via this channel!
About as close to an astronaut as a person can get. Thanks Merryl for keeping us safe. Thanks Ward for bringing us her story.
I find it incredible that these pilots are willingly and knowingly risking brain injuries to fly for their country. Pretty damn impressive!
@Ralph Watten.. Close but no cigar Sir.. apples and oranges comparison; omitting cumulative time, physical conditioning with unknown age limits.. Armchair quarterbacking aside, I've to hand it to MsMerryl for her alert, dynamic and smart precise management of all the systems she had total control of.. precision management over at least four maybe up to five dimensions. I'm Star Trekking now.. Excellent presentation Mooch (MrWard Carroll).. ALOHA UALL..
You brought us a couple of very interesting, very powerful, Colonels!
Joe Rogan gets higher technically
Thank you for the kind words.
As a Trekkie an an aviation enthusiast, WELL DONE, Colonel! You rock! Live long & prosper, Ma'am!
If only the media would focus on people like Col Tengesdal as role models for our messed up kids of today instead of sports figures and social media "Influencers", we might be in much better shape than we are. What a true inspiration the Col is. Have always loved the U-2 and it's awesome to see an interview with one of the few pilots (Aviators) that are good enough to pilot them.
Well said. I'm only 3 minutes into this video and I already have a feeling Col. Temgesdal is going to be a very impressive role model that any of us can be inspired by
the media is an ice cream vendor. the customers choose the flavor and servings. its not a forced feeding tube. thats how we got to wards space here.
I wish the media could focus on her also, but the media is comprised mostly of under achievers who whine and complain, and basically achieved nothing significant in life.
@Joshua Jones, you truly think it’s ‘free’. 🤣😂
@Joshua Jones It is more effective to back up your arguments rather than challenge people to prove you wrong. It makes you sound weak.
Impressive aviator. Love that she knew what she wanted at an early age. And did the work to get it. She will succeed at everything she chooses to do.
This is the most compelling interview I've seen on this channel. Col Tengesdal sold a copy of her book (to me) before I finished watching. She makes me proud to be an American today.
Adam, I appreciate you. Thank you.
Couldn't have said it better. Leaving RUclips right now to go to Amazon for the book. Terrific interview!
I agree! I can’t wait to give it a read as well!
Such an amazing interview! Thanks so much! 🙏
I see you everywhere now Mr. chocolate rain!!!! Glad to see you have good taste. Any plans on some more music in the near future? Hope you're doing well my man!
Thanks, Tay! Hope you're well!
@@BigDonKedick. I was just coming to say the same thing lol. I see him comment on a ton of my favorite channels and love when I randomly see him in the comments 😂
@@WardCarroll curious the reason you referred to the Colonel as a U2 “driver” instead of pilot. Interchangeable terms?
P.S. Videos and interviews are fantastic.
I move away from the keyboard to breath
Col. Tengesdal’s story is an incredible, inspiring, and truly American one. To go from the Bronx to flying one of the most challenging planes ever built is an amazing accomplishment. Her intelligence, dedication, and character are evident and humbling to this civilian.
Well said!
What a wonderful interview with Col. Tengesdal! I loved the "Unarmed and Unafraid" motto and thinking about how much courage it takes to be a proverbial sitting duck at times and still staying on mission.
ALONE unarmed and unafraid . . . 😎
Alone unarmed unstable and unafraid.
Not quite YBGSM but definitely not for the timid!
I remember that saying being used by the RF-4C operators in SE Asia during the late 60's to early 70's.
to be fair, in many places, such as OIF/OEF, there was basically zero risk of a U-2 being shot down. Doesn't take much courage to do that. But takes courage to knowingly risk physical injury flying a mission.
@@SoloRenegade What you say is undoubtedly true but I would submit that just to get in the mental and physical condition necessary to face the particular challenges of flying such aircraft at extreme altitudes and survive the mission, especially in the event of the inevitable and unforeseeable mechanical system failures that all complex systems are apt to experience represents a whole set of challenges (and fears) that only this category of pilot will expect to face. I am very impressed by the knowledge, discipline, and dedication of these warriors.
Holy crap. I don't know if anyone has EVER gotten Black History Month this right. Thanks for introducing us to Colonel Tengesdal.
💯
My mother did with me in the early 80's.👍🏽
Black history month is fucking stupid.
@@Synergy7Studios You're absolutely right.
Amen.
Just added Colonel Tengesdal to my list of all time personal heroes. Thank you for your service and inspiration. The world needs to hear a lot more from you. Going to order your book now.
Me too.
Do we have a link for her book?
Thank you.
@Merryl Tengesdal I had to do a double take when I saw this video. Merryl. Do you remember me from USS Normandy (GWBATGRU 88-1). I was the Air Defense Officer. I'm so in awe of what you accomp lished!
What a story, what an honor, what an inspiration! Thank you Colonel Tengesdal for all that you have done.
What an amazing pilot! I just think about the wide range of types of flying she did over her career. Unbelievable. Massive respect!
agreed!
Only a former pilot/backseater could have pulled off this outstanding interview. Your insight and questions were spot on. Thanks to you both for your service. 30 year MCPO sends.
Thanks, Master Chief!
Oh man a Col and a U2 pilot? What an honor! Thank you both for this.
Those clips of helicopters on small decks are from some of the Danish navy's largest ships. Quite necessary to be able to land on rolling decks in the North Atlantic.
Merryl is very likable. No surprise she passed the U2 interview.
She's one inspirational human being!! Unlike the lazy youth of today, this woman is a complete badass and all around likeable character. I sleep a little easier knowing we have professionals like her to suit up and help protect the U.S. and all of our allies!! Cheers to the Danes from Chicago!!!
@@BigDonKedick LMFAOOOO
Impressive career, impressive aviator and I just love how Star Trek (once again) was the impetus for dedication to reach a goal.
Absolutely. I can picture her sitting in the living room studying the Star Trek episodes and dreaming about her future. Well done!
Fantastic. I can tell she was an outstanding instructor because I followed everything she was explaining. Thanks, Mooch, for another great episode.
Col. Tengesdal is an absolute badass. Great video, Mooch.
Maintenance being able to talk to the aircrew whenever they have a problem is a groundbreaking advantage that I'm surprised isn't talked about more. I've done it before as a Crow on the ground and I can rest comfortably knowing that I've saved lives both in the air and on the ground. Aircrew can't know everything on the fly, and having a technical expert on call who has access to a cheat sheet earned through thousands of hours of troubleshooting is game-breaking. I've even flown combat missions as MEP for known issues and have seen first hand the relief of the crew that they have a more educated than usual grease monkey than your average FCC to fix a problem on the fly, or worse case ghetto-rig a quick fix to accomplish the mission.
Especially with a plane as notoriously temperamental as the U-2.
My grandfather was a maintainer on the Dragon lady in Vietnam before Vietnam was Vietnam. He kept telling my grandmother it was a very long TDY up until the late 70's.
Thank you ward for giving this amazing bird and this amazing aviator their due recognition.
Gene Rodenberry would have loved to know that Star Trek motivated this pilot to soar.
Your book's in my AZ cart, Col. Tengesdal. Thank you for your extraordinary story and exemplary service, and LOVED all those great photos. And Mooch, if it weren't for you and your channel , I would NEVER have been introduced to such an amazing and inspiring aviator. This is one of my all-time favorites of yours. I was on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The way the two of you told this story begs for a return visit, big time! "You've got to go there to know there," and wow, when two people who've gone there and know there get together, well, it's just what it is: magic! Much thanks!
Thanks for the generous support!
Thank you!!
I second that. I'm already looking forward to a follow up.
Interesting career. Rotary wing, fixed wing, glider (U-2). Thank you for your service. Ward, thank you for your service and thank you for sharing.🙂
Fabulous interview Mooch. What a brave and dedicated woman.
Ward, everyone you interview both humbles me for how little I've accomplished compared to them, but also makes me so proud to be an American. And thank you Col. Tengesdal for your inspiring story and your service! God bless.
An amazing woman!! America needs millions more like her!! God bless her always!!
What an inspiration and a roll model for young people, especially for young girls in America! Absolutely respect for the Colonel!!
I live about 20 miles south of Beale AFB, and get the opportunity from time to time to see the U-2 cruising in back to Beale. I almost always stop what I'm doing and just observe the beauty and grace of the jet flying over. I get an overflight by their T-38 trainers almost daily.
Thanks! Most excellent! From a non-military person, who loves military shows.
This was an absolutely fascinating interview. I have never learned so much about U2 pilots and U2 missions in my entire aviation career. Col. Tengesdal is amazing and inspiring.
I am proud of you !
The view must be SPECTACULAR! Thank you for your service Colonel Merryl Tengesdal ! God Bless America !
There’s a Top Gear special “James May at the edge of space” that includes some footage from a U2.
What a great interview Mooch. She was a stellar military officer.
What an impressive and inspiring individual, thank you for hosting her!
Col. Tengesdal is an amazing woman who is very inspiring! Thanks for the interview!!!!!!
a natural behind the camera, happy to listen to more, love stuff about the special high flying birds , thanks Col.
before the camera
Interesting Video. 1975 High School Classmate Mario Buda was the U2 pilot for a Behind Closed Doors TV Program where Joan Lunden went for a test ride. At our 35th Class Reunion in Milford, PA, he showed the program and got a standing ovation. Made this Retired Navy Chief proud.
Again, what a great interview! Col. Tengesdal has got to be an amazingly level headed lady. Imagine doing ten hour - if not (much) longer - missions high up, completely on your own, controlling all the sensors, navigation and communications in an uncomfortable pressure suit and cramped cockpit, have a few days of light duty and then going back to do it all again! Not exactly star ship Enterprise, but it's definitely going boldly where only a few have gone before. Going to look for her book right away! Thanks!
Commradrie, professionalism, and experience... Great combinations for great interviews!! Thanks Mooch! Keep up the good work!!
This is one of my favorite interviews you have done! She is so intriguing, but at the same time she seemed so driven of what she wanted to accomplish! Although she speaks so reserved and is very articulate you can tell she took her job serious as a heart attack! Just awesome to see her speak! 👏
Great stuff Ward. Spent 1984-1989 working on SR-71's at Beale and Kadena. The U-2/TR1 were our next door neighbors and this is a great blast from the past for me. Cheers
First time I saw the Habu, I was a young Marine walking out of the PX on Camp Foster, Okinawa 1987. I looked up while coming out of the PX in March 1987 and said " what the hell is that? " Cpl Carlson said " man that's a Habu getting ready to land". For the next 6 months, I would hear the SR 71 take off early in the morning from Kadina Air Base.
@@twright3802 Very cool I got there January of 87 so we were there at the same time. Cheers
She is one fantastic Lady who should be highly regarded as a role model for all of us. So is the U-2. Great Video Mooch!
Thank you for your service colonel.
What a fascinating interview with dedicated U2 pilot. Thank you for your years of outstanding service.
One of the best interviews I’ve seen on your channel. Makes me proud of our nation in that we have such committed individuals that secure our safety and well-being. I love learning about the different platforms and had no idea of everything involved with this airplane. we are blessed to have such people as yourself and others that are so willing to serve.
Great channel… Thank you
Fantastic interview and a really interesting experience in making the absolute best of a military career. We're so lucky to have had your service Col. Tengesdal! Thank you for sharing your experience and I hope we hear more from you again!
A true Dragon Lady. Thanks Ward!
I love her mindset of "I wanted to learn". Hugely admirable. Great interview, Mooch!
Most of the people in the world have little awareness or appreciation for the selfless accomplishments and dedication of people who live with an unlimited liability clause in their professions. It makes me proud to breath the same air.
What an amazing individual and a inspiration to everyone that you can achieve your goals no matter where you come from in the socioeconomic ladder!! Thank you, Mooch for doing this one and thank you, Col. T for your service to our country!! I am definitely getting the book.
Just downloaded 'Shatter the Sky' to my Kindle. Thank You Commander Carroll for introducing us to the amazing talent and courage of Colonel Merryl Tengesdal. Thank You both for keeping America free!!
As a long time follower of the channel I have to say this is one of the best yet. Love the first hand details of U2 ops. Hopefully the Colonel will be a huge inspiration to young people especially women and minorities.
That was awesome interview Mr. Ward. Col Tangesdal, like all of your guests, is some to aspire to be like.
Wow, this woman is a force of Nature! She's done almost everything, with a few exceptions. Talk about Laser focused on the goal of getting into a spacesuit! Thanks for your service Colonel, You have been an example of someone who has looked to the future and set her goals to get there, I hope that you will someday catch the eye of the people at NASA and you can get your Bucket list totally scratched off and fly into space! Your military career has had it's effect upon you, when you go deadpan, you have a poker player's face, I might as well be staring at the face of a mannequin! It's disconcerting but most definitely a result of your military service.
Great interview! I wasn’t aware of the amount of physical stress U2 pilots have to face. Her description of the difficulty to work within a pressurized suit reminded me of pictures I’ve seen of some of the Apollo astronauts hands returning from the moon. Often scarred from manipulating equipment while in a spacesuit in a vacuum. Well done!
Great interview! As a pilot who flies at the opposite end of the altitude spectrum, and a scuba diver, I was especially interested in the DCS discussion.
U-2 Pilots are another breed of human. Outstanding interview, thanks so much! What a human Col. Tengesdal is!
This lady is so very humble and a true patriot!
I am a simple man. When Perun uploads a powerpoint, Hardcore History uploads a podcast, or Ward Carroll uploads an interview I click and I am never disappointed.
My brother in law transitioned from C-130’s to the U-2 in the 90’s. He now flies for Southwest.
Wow, that is quite a physical sacrifice. Hats off to colonel Tengesdal.
Were their cockpits not pressurized enough?
I believe U-2 cockpits are only pressurized to high 20s to low 30s. It's a weight-saving consideration.
Airliners are usually pressurized to 8,000 feet. Some newer airliners are pressurized to 6,000 ft.
The more structure to keep the cockpit pressurized at the lower altitude adds more weight. They need to keep the weight very low.
When I flew the cockpit cabin pressure was at approximately 29K. The aircraft was modified around 2012 to a cabin pressure of 15k. Quite the difference.
It's like the Apollo spacecraft, with pure oxygen, they only needed 5 psi to breathe. Regular air is 78% nitrogen, which we don't need.
That was eye opening, well done to you both and thank you for your service!
Thanks for this episode. I am a Social Studies teacher in Hampton, VA, and for the past several years I have been contributing facts to be read during our morning announcements for Women's History Month. I will include her story in this year's Women's History facts.
I have a new appreciation for the difficult and challenging missions those U2 drivers endured, damn impressive if you ask me. Thanks to the Colonel for her service to this country, and thanks Mooch for doing this interview, loved it!
Important life lesson about the value of developing more tools just to expand your tool belt, even if not connected with an immediate goal. She literally said, “I didn’t know for what purpose.”
Amazing interview.
That is a great mindset to have.
Mr. Ward Carol sir; once again, as is always the case per usual, you brought for us the audience to hear, from the absolute most interesting perspectives, the people who have served and still serve our country with honor, and who do things that only your platform allows us to hear and see about. From my bowed head in respect, Thank You.
Best and Brightest.....Great interview Ward.
Wow!!!!! What an absolutely amazing lady! Thank you for your service! Thanks for getting her on here, Mooch! Very impressive and moving career.
Very Awesome! Thanks to you both for you Service.
Ward Carroll=awe-inspiring guests. Great American heroes. These podcasts seemingly get better and better. Thank you for all you do.
Ward, you keeping knocking these interviews with extraordinary aviators out of the park. Well done, sir!
edit: To show how topical this discussion is, I just saw a close-up photo of the Chinese spy balloon released by the DoD, and you can clearly see the silhouette of a U-2 in the shadow cast right on the balloon - so the Angels are still up there, protecting all of us!
What a motivating human being. Amazing accomplishments! Continue to fly high in your dragon lady, dragon lady!!!! Respect!!!!!
Edit: retired dragon lady*
What an unique career path, rotary wing to fixed wing and all the way to the exclusive U2 community. Hopefully she doesn’t suffer any long term health effects from flying the U2.
Great interview. If you happen to read this comment, feel free to pass along my greetings to her. I knew her when she was in flight test. My favorite memory of her is one time she told me I was "geeking out" when briefing the engineering behind a flight test effort to her and two other test pilots and asking them about the best approach to flying the test. She was good to work with and a real down-to-earth person.
Thank you my friend.
@@merryltengesdal4674 Hi,
For an accountant or an auditor, retirement must feel like an adrenaline filled scary journey of discovery, into a new and strange world.
When you, with your insane career, retired. Did you get the same feeling as the accountant, but in reverse?
Leaving an exciting adventure and going to an endlessly boring world?
I was a little curious about your name Tengesdal.
I am from Norway and this is a surname from Denmark or Norway, most likely Norway.
Do you have ancestry from Scandinavia / Norway?
Sorry it wasn't meant to be rude but I have an interest in history and the emigration of my countrymen to America!
So when I see names from Norway that are not Americanized, my curiosity is piqued.
Must congratulate you on your amazing career, it deserves respect!
@@thenorseman2804so I went to do a little digging, apparently that is her husband's last name. Her husband is Kjell Tengesdal. So you're probably right about the Scandinavian connection. Her maiden last name was David. She's married with two kids according to Wikipedia.
@@lemiphil2388 Thank you for the update Lemi! Yes he has genes from Norway, the family name comes from the WSW of the country! Have a nice day!
@The Norseman Thank you! Believe it or not, life has been very busy after retirement, and I love it.
Yes, my husband is 1/3 Norwegian. This dad was an immigrant from Norway.
A fascinating interview Mooch and what an inspiration Merryl is. Many thanks indeed.
Now this was a fabulous episode. I had no idea of what U2 pilots went through. I thank both of you for your service.
Fantastic episode. The view from the cockpit was amazing. Thank you, both.
Ward, you have the most fascinating and capable guests. Thank you for giving us a tiny peek behind the curtain on the U2. Col. Tengesdal was a great guest and ambassador for the U2 community.
Career USAF & airline pilot. Although I had nothing to do with the U-2, I somehow ended up either being friends with, or working with, ten U-2 pilots in my career; that's a large number, considering how small the community is. What a wonderful group of Americans. I don't often watch an entire interview end-to-end, but I did this time. Merryl was such a great guest! Keep up the good work, Ward.
Your greatest talent may just be your ability to connect with some of the most amazing people on the planet. She is awesome. Well done.
Terrific interview. What a fine communicator she is. Making complicated processes into engaging and digestible stories.
Much awaited, much appreciated excellent insights as always from you.
Loved hearing her story and perspective. The Colonel is bad ass!
What an impressive career! Thank you Merryl for your service and Mooch another great interview.
I love this channel and this was one of your best yet...fascinating to say the least. Much respect for these ladies. I was a 1st Lt. Signal, 101st Airborne in Vietnam in 70-71. Prior to going to Vietnam, wanted to go to copter flight school but eye problems nixed that. Loved those copters but most of all the A4 Phantoms. They dropped "snake and nape" for us many times that saved a lot of US troops. Keep up the good work. Really enjoy listening to all these heroes.
I fly with 2 former U2 pilots that know Colonel Tengesdal and they say she is the “real deal”. She is highly respected, very well thought of and reported to be an outstanding pilot and officer.
Thank you. Which guys have you flown with?
Hello Merryl, my wife recently met you when you spoke at the book club she belongs to at Catta Verdera. As expected, the book club members were very impressed with you and your history.
The 2 former U2 pilots I fly with are Beau Miller and Matt Acer.
Awesome video, as usual. Col. Tengesdal has a unique story filled with dedication and courage. Look forward to reading her book!
Thank you Col.Tengesdal for you service . You are a roll model. You represent the very best.. well done!!!
awesome interview with an amazing guest. Had no idea about some of the physical costs that can come with flying the U2, definitely adds to the dedication of the pilots
Great line! "My call sign is Mooch, so of course I'm gonna let you buy the first round!"
Excellent interview. Thank you for bringing COL Tengesdal's story to your channel.
Your BEST interview you have done by far, well done , i've read about this pilot and her story , but this was just wonderful , what an amasing story / life she had , so far ....
Thank you Ward for an excellent interview. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
U-2's and the pilots that fly them, are awesome. Worked at Moffett Field for a spell and enjoyed watching their ER-2 launch twice a week or so. Not a forgiving aircraft if you didn't know your stuff.
Nice interview with the Colonel. She has a fantastic, if not unusual, resume!
"My call sign's Mooch, so..."
"OF COURSE! OF COURSE!"
Priceless. Thank you both for your service to our great nation. We civilians appreciate you.
Great interview. I had no idea about the physical consequences of flying the U-2. One more group of service people we owe a debt of gratitude to.
Loved witching this video. Bookshelf behind the Colonel looks like every pilots home office I've ever been in. I was raised on Beale and loved seeing the U2, SR, flightline, Sutter Buttes, etc. Sounds like a fantastic career - I wish we could have put her in space too.
Outstanding! Thanks Merryl for your service. I have a whole new respect for the U2 pilots. As an advanced scuba diver I should have realized what physical stress high altitude pilots were going through, but until this interview, I had never made the connection. Thanks, Mooch, for bringing people and stories like this to light. Great interview.
Great interview! The most impressive aircraft I ever watched was the U-2 taking off every morning at U-Tapao in '72. Takeoff roll was next to nothing, and the plane would pull its nose up and climb nearly straight up out of sight, even if slowly. Landings were just as impressive. That plane could surely float if not handled just right. The mobile at the time had a 396 El Camino. The ground crew would ride in the back when the U-2 crossed the threshold, and the El Camino would race down the runway to try to reach out to catch the wingtip so it didn't drag.
This was very special, thank you both.
Ward, thanks for the fantastic interview with the Colonel. She is an inspiration for us all.