Captain Merryl David

Major Merryl David was the first and is the only African American woman to fly the Air Forces Elite U-2 Spy stealth Plane, used for risky reconnaissance missions. Merryl David is one of only five woman and three African Americans to be accepted into the Air Forces First Squadron.

Biography

Major Merryl David grew up in the Bronx, New York. Wanting the career of an astronaut, she graduated from the University of New Haven with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. She decided not to go into the ROTC while in college, and spent three months in Officers' Candidate School after graduating and came out with a commission as an ensign. David then graduated from the U.S. Navy's fight-aviation program in Pensacola, Florida. Her former Navy flight instructor, Commander Ron Robinson, has said that David "was one of my best flight students and it doesn't surprise me that she's doing so well."David says that her greatest challenge while in the Navy’s fight-aviation program was,

Each phase of the program has its own challenges: running, swimming, doing my first solo in an airplane. In helicopter flying, the biggest challenge is learning how to hover--keep the craft steady in just one spot. It's the hardest thing you can do, especially when you're in the wind. But I have to say it's also the best feeling when you accomplish it.

Merryl David has also flown airplanes and helicopters for the U.S. Navy in South America and the Middle East as well as holding the position of Deputy of (Squadron) Operations at Beale Air Force Base, Ca.

Merry David is also currently pursuing her musical career. In December of 2007, she helped to form the Rock Band Litterbox which is headlining venues in the US.

References

*http://www.raahistory.com/u2.htm
*http://www.area51zone.com/aircraft/u2.shtml
*http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1264/is_n5_v27/ai_18614057
*http://www.globalsecurity.org/org/news/2005/050731-u2-goods.htm
*http://www.robinsonlawoffice.com