33 My Major Kicked My Toolbox Shut And Blamed Me For Almost Killing A Pilot — He Didn't Know The Pilot Had Filed A Sealed Report Before The Fire

The safety investigation board convened on the morning of the sixteenth of May.

It was presided over by a colonel named Helena Vasquez. She was the director of safety for Air Education and Training Command. She had been in the Air Force for twenty-six years. She had investigated more aircraft mishaps than any other officer in her command. She had a reputation for being thorough and for being fair and for not being intimidated by rank.

She came to Eglin with three investigators and a recorder and a very careful face.

She interviewed Jasmine Cole for four hours on the first day. She interviewed Lieutenant Colonel Reyes for two hours. She interviewed Captain Bennett for three hours. She interviewed the production supervisor for ninety minutes. She interviewed the supply sergeant for ninety minutes. She interviewed the group commander for two hours. She interviewed the wing commander for one hour. She interviewed Major Bolton for six hours.

She reviewed the maintenance log. She reviewed the official log in the maintenance data system. She reviewed the work order. She reviewed the delivery record. She reviewed the sealed hazard report. She reviewed the access logs for the maintenance data system. She reviewed the credentials logs for every maintenance specialist in the squadron.

On the third day, she requested the credentials logs for every officer in the maintenance squadron.

On the fourth day, she requested the credentials logs for the group commander.

On the fifth day, she requested the credentials logs for the wing commander.

On the sixth day, she sat down in the conference room with all of the logs spread out in front of her and she read them for eleven hours.

At 22:00 that night, she called the wing commander.

"Sir," she said, "I have completed the review. I have identified the officer who entered the forged signature."

"Who?" the wing commander said.

"Sir, the signature was entered from a workstation in the maintenance group commander's office. It was entered at 21:14 on the twelfth of May. It was entered using credentials that belong to Staff Sergeant Cole. But Staff Sergeant Cole was at home at 21:14 on the twelfth of May. She had left the base at 19:15. Her vehicle passed through the gate at 19:22. And she did not return to the base until 05:52 the following morning. Her vehicle passed through the gate at 05:52. The signature was entered at 21:14. It was entered by a person who was not Staff Sergeant Cole. It was entered by a person who was in the maintenance group commander's office at 21:14. And that person was Major Eric Bolton."

The wing commander was quiet for a long time.

"Colonel Vasquez," he said, "are you sure?"

"Sir," Vasquez said, "I am sure. I have the workstation log. I have the credentials log. I have the gate log. I have the security camera footage from the corridor outside the maintenance group commander's office. The footage shows Major Bolton walking into the office at 21:02. It shows him walking out at 21:41. It shows him carrying a folder. The folder was later found in his office. The folder contained the maintenance release. The release was signed with Staff Sergeant Cole's credentials. And the credentials were entered from the workstation in the maintenance group commander's office."

The wing commander was quiet again.

"Colonel Vasquez," he said, "what are you recommending?"

"Sir, I am recommending that Major Eric Bolton be relieved of duty immediately. I am recommending that he be charged with forgery, obstruction of justice, and conduct unbecoming an officer. I am recommending that he be referred for court-martial. And I am recommending that Staff Sergeant Jasmine Cole be restored to duty, that her record be corrected, and that she be considered for an award."

"Colonel Vasquez, I will act on your recommendation in the morning."

"Sir, I would like to act on it tonight."

"Colonel—"

"Sir, every hour that Major Bolton remains in a position of authority at this base is an hour in which the Air Force is failing to demonstrate that it takes the safety of its aircrew seriously. I have the evidence. I have the recommendation. I have the authority to recommend. I would like you to exercise your authority to act."

The wing commander was quiet.

Then he said, "Colonel Vasquez, I will act tonight. Major Bolton will be relieved of duty at 08:00 tomorrow. He will be referred for court-martial. And Staff Sergeant Cole will be restored to duty at the same time. I will be in your office at 07:00. I will sign the paperwork myself."