Authorities in New Mexico are asking for the public’s help in locating retired Major General William Neil McCasland, a long time leader at Kirtland Air Force Base and former commander of the Phillips Research Site and Air Force Research Laboratory.
McCasland, 68, has been missing since late last week. The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) has issued a Silver Alert in response as concerns grow for his well‑being.
What To Know
McCasland was last seen on February 27, 2026, at approximately 11 a.m. in the area of Quail Run Court NE, Albuquerque. According to the alert, McCasland’s direction of travel is unknown and deputies have not yet determined what clothing he may have been wearing when he disappeared. Because he is dealing with unspecified medical issues, BCSO says officers are increasingly worried for his safety and are urging residents to stay alert and report any potential sightings.
McCasland is described as 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighing approximately 160 pounds, with blue eyes and white hair. While investigators continue to canvas the surrounding neighborhoods and review available information, they emphasize that community assistance is critical in cases like this—particularly when the missing individual may be confused, disoriented, or unable to seek help independently.
Silver Alerts, similar in purpose to Amber Alerts for missing children, are issued when older adults—often those with medical or cognitive conditions—are believed to be at risk. In situations where there are few leads, wide public awareness often becomes one of the most effective tools for locating a missing person quickly. BCSO has included a QR code in the official alert so members of the public can submit anonymous tips, and officials say even small pieces of information can prove valuable.
The area where McCasland was last seen, near Quail Run Court NE, includes residential streets, walking routes, and open areas where someone on foot might travel without being easily noticed. Deputies have not said whether they believe he may have left the area using a vehicle or public transportation, underscoring the uncertainty surrounding his disappearance.
BCSO is urging anyone with information—no matter how minor it may seem—to contact authorities immediately. Members of the public can text information directly to the Sheriff’s Office by sending “BCSO” to 847411, a tip line designed to help investigators receive timely updates. The Sheriff’s Office Missing Persons Unit is also available by phone at (505) 468‑7070.
As the search continues, officials emphasize that time is a crucial factor. The Sheriff’s Office is asking the community to remain vigilant, check home security footage if possible, and report anything unusual that might help bring McCasland home safely.
Why It Matters
McCasland held several high‑ranking and influential positions within the U.S. Air Force, particularly in science, technology, and space research. As commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Wright‑Patterson Air Force Base, he oversaw a $2.2 billion science and technology portfolio, along with an additional $2.2 billion in customer‑funded research and development.
His leadership extended to managing a global workforce of approximately 10,800 personnel, including the AFRL’s technology directorates, the 711th Human Performance Wing, and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research.
Commissioned in 1979 after earning a Bachelor of Science in astronautical engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy, McCasland built a career spanning diverse roles in space research, acquisition, and operations within both the Air Force and the National Reconnaissance Office. He served as commander of the Phillips Research Site at Kirtland Air Force Base and later became vice commander of both the Ogden Air Logistics Center and the Space and Missile Systems Center, positions central to Air Force logistics and space system development.
McCasland’s Pentagon assignments included serving as director of Space Acquisition in the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force and subsequently as director of Special Programs under the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics—roles that placed him at the center of major national defense space and technology initiatives.
McCasland’s WikiLeaks Connection
McCasland’s name appeared in the 2016 WikiLeaks release of emails from John Podesta, Hillary Clinton’s campaign chairman. In a series of communications, between Podesta and Blink 182 guitarist and prominent UFO researcher Tom DeLonge, DeLonge described McCasland as a key adviser on several UFO-related projects.
DeLonge told Podesta that he had been “working with [McCasland] for four months” and that the retired general was already offering him advice on how to move forward with his UFO‑disclosure initiative.
In the same email, DeLonge emphasized that McCasland was “very, very aware” of the material DeLonge was investigating because McCasland had previously been “in charge of the laboratory at Wright‑Patterson Air Force Base where the Roswell wreckage was shipped.”
DeLonge stated that McCasland not only understood the goals of his project but actively helped select and assemble the advisers who would support DeLonge’s work on UFO‑related research.
Despite DeLonge’s claims, there are no official records of McCasland advising the musician on his UFO research and McCasland has never confirmed or denied his involvement.
DeLonge went go on to play a pivotal role in the Pentagon’s release of declassified, authentic Navy UFO videos.
What People Are Saying
Colonel Justin Secrest, base commander of the 377th Air Base Wing at Kirtland, told the Albuquerque Journal: “We are coordinating closely with local authorities and defer all updates regarding the search efforts to the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.”
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