By Jakiya Dudley, Media Specialist
MONTGOMERY, AL– As we celebrate Black History Month, it’s important to recognize and honor the rich legacies of those who have shaped the history of our country and state. Among these remarkable individuals is one of our very own, Danny Coone, a Retired State Employee at the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles, whose career has soared through the skies, both as a pilot and in service to the people of Alabama.
Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbSkEJxcpVw
Officer Coone retired after 30 years of service with the Alabama State Troopers, including 12 years as a pilot. He flew for the Governor’s Office, frequently transporting then Lieutenant Governor Kay Ivey.
Officer Coone’s career includes a deeply meaningful moment of mentorship and history, when he had the privilege of flying with Chief Alfred Anderson, a legendary figure and the chief pilot of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African American military aviators.
Chief Anderson, with his expertise and dedication, was the one who soloed Officer Coone. This moment marked a major achievement for Officer Coone and connected his career to the groundbreaking legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen. Chief Anderson quickly helped him refine his skills. What stood out to Coone was Anderson’s unique teaching style. “I was having some problems with the landings, and he corrected all those problems very quickly,” Coone recalls. “What he was doing was a lot different from what I was learning from everybody else. So, I became a lot more proficient in a short period of time flying with him.”
But it wasn’t just Anderson’s technical knowledge that made an impact, it was his ability to mentor in a way that built confidence and pride. Rather than positioning himself as the sole authority, Chief Anderson made Coone feel empowered. “He always had this knack for making you feel like you were better than you were,” Coone explains. “It was almost like you were teaching him, or he was learning from you. He always had a way of making you feel significant, even though I was just learning to fly.”
For Coone, the experience with Chief Anderson was more than just a training opportunity, it was a life-changing moment. “He had more flight hours than just about anybody in the world,” Coone said, reflecting on the depth of Anderson’s experience. “He was always gracious, and he made me feel like I was just as significant as him.”
As Officer Coone reflects on this pivotal moment in his aviation career, it’s clear that Chief Alfred Anderson’s mentorship not only helped him become a better pilot but also instilled a sense of pride and purpose that would guide him throughout his career. These lessons have stayed with Officer Coone throughout his life and continue to influence his work today as an officer with the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles. Just as Chief Anderson instilled a sense of pride and capability in him, Officer Coone now carries that same spirit of service and excellence into his daily work. Whether in the skies or working to make a difference in the lives of others, Officer Coone embodies the principles of perseverance and leadership.
Contact:
Jakiya Dudley
Media Specialist
jakiya.dudley@paroles.alabama.gov
334.922.5497
Coone with Chief Anderson
Officer Coone with then Lieutenant Governor Kay Ivey.