Heroes Behind Headlines

As the Cold War was taking shape in 1953, the United States accepted Lockheed Corporation’s proposal to build the U-2 spy plane, out of absolute necessity. The program has been such a massive success for the US military and CIA, that the plane remains in service today over 64 years later. However, only one black woman has ever flown the U-2. We are honored to welcome United States Air Force Col. Merryl Tengesdal.
Colonel Tengesdal’s remarkable journey began in the Bronx. Despite facing enormous adversity throughout her Air Force career, Merryl surpassed every expectation. She earned her seat in the cockpit of the most successful spy plane in history, more than 70,000 feet above the earth’s surface.
The significance of the now legendary U-2 spy plane, nicknamed “Dragon Lady”, cannot be overstated. The program was such a priority for American national security that it became operational and first took flight in 1955, only two years after it was initially proposed.
Since retiring in 2017, Merryl may no longer be flying more than 13 miles up into the sky, but she has hardly slowed down. She now works as a personal trainer and even starred on the hit CBS reality show, ‘Tough As Nails’.
Merryl Tengesdal is a true inspiration and we highly recommend her book, ‘Shatter the Sky: What Going to the Stratosphere Taught Me About Self-worth, Sacrifice, and Discipline’.

A Fan-Favorite Reprise Episode From Season One:
Prior to May 5, 1980, the world was largely unaware that the UK’s SAS (Special Air Service), or any elite special operations units, existed at all. Six days earlier, terrorists had stormed the Iranian Embassy in London and taken 21 hostages. As the situation was being covered on live TV around the world, the SAS attacked the embassy. HBH is honored to be joined by two members of that elite SAS team, Pete Winner and Sekonaia ‘Tak’ Takevisi.
The terrorists had not anticipated a violent response to their actions. However, what they received when UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher gave ‘Operation Nimrod’ the go ahead, was the full force of the most precise military instrument at her disposal: the SAS.
The SAS made an example of the terrorists for all the world to see. As a result, overnight, the SAS, also known as ‘The Regiment’, became famous around the world - a world that did not know soldiers of this caliber existed.
We thank Pete and Tak for taking the time to join us and reliving their experience from the day that put special forces on the map, permanently.
Pete Winner is the author of his bestselling memoir ‘SOLDIER, I’, which he wrote with Michael Kennedy.

The real stories behind the headlines you know, told by the heroes you don’t. Heroes Behind Headlines is an explosive new podcast, featuring new, incredible interviews every episode. First-hand accounts of the harrowing operations which have shaped the world over the past half-century. Hosted by NYT and international bestselling author, Ralph Pezzullo.
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Human trafficking is a $150 billion global industry, which remains severely underreported. One of the epicenters for this barbaric business is Western Africa, where lawlessness has reigned for generations. Fortunately, one man decided to go undercover to try and help take down the people behind these atrocities. On his own and utilizing only a $34 pair of glasses with a hidden camera, he put his life at risk. Four months and 6,000 miles later, he miraculously survived a journey into the darkest corners of humanity. HBH is honored to welcome, directly from Ghana, Emmanuel Azeteng Ayarick.
Living in a two-room hut in Ghana, Azeteng noticed what many people around him had: migrants were disappearing. He knew full well that the people behind this apparent human trafficking operation were without question some of the most vile and wicked on earth. Nevertheless, in an act of unimaginable bravery he decided that, on his own, he would infiltrate a group of migrants to try and gather evidence which he could then deliver to western government authorities.
Azeteng spent his horrifying investigation surrounded by the complete disregard of human rights and frankly human life. Daily, he was face-to-face with murder, gang rape and other atrocities. He was even sold into slavery himself, before an incredible escape.
Human trafficking is responsible for countless deaths, including over 10,000 migrants in the Sahara desert alone, every year. Despite the fact that much of the world moved on long ago, over 24 million people still live in modern day slavery.
We thank Azeteng for his time and his truly remarkable courage, as he is living proof that one man of modest means can make a difference.
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