Search Operations Persist for Missing Retired Air Force Major General William McCasland

As of March 13, 2026, a comprehensive search operation remains underway for retired U.S. Air Force Major General William "Neil" McCasland, who disappeared from his Albuquerque home on February 27, 2026. The 68-year-old astronautical engineer was last seen leaving his residence on Quail Run Court NE at approximately 11:00 a.m. In a concerning development, McCasland left behind his mobile phone, specialized medical glasses, and other wearable technology. His disappearance was first reported by his wife, Susan McCasland Wilkerson, who discovered he was missing around 12:04 p.m. that afternoon, prompting an immediate investigation.

The investigation is being spearheaded by the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) joining the effort—a standard protocol given the missing man's high-level military background. Sheriff John Allen has publicly requested that residents provide any available surveillance footage from the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on February 27 and 28, specifically focusing on the Quail Run Court NE area and potential exit routes from the neighborhood. Despite the deployment of extensive resources, including search dogs, helicopters, and drones, authorities have yet to find any confirmed sightings or video evidence indicating his direction of travel.

In addition to his personal documents, McCasland is believed to have his hiking boots and a .38 caliber revolver in a leather holster with him. On March 7, search teams located a gray U.S. Air Force sweatshirt roughly two kilometers east of his home, though it has not been officially confirmed as belonging to the General, and initial forensic tests showed no signs of blood. The search has involved door-to-door inquiries with over 700 local homeowners. The urgency of the situation is amplified by a Silver Alert issued for McCasland, noting an unspecified medical condition that requires attention.

General McCasland’s career in the Air Force spanned 34 years before his retirement in 2013. His final assignment was as the commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, where he oversaw a $2.2 billion science and technology budget and a global team of approximately 10,800 people. A graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with a PhD in astronautics, his legacy includes work on the Global Positioning System (GPS) and leadership of the Space Based Laser Project Office. More recently, he served as the Chief Technology Officer for Applied Technology Associates and was a member of the board of directors for Riverside Research.

Public fascination with the case has been fueled by McCasland’s past ties to the study of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP). Following his military service, he acted as an unpaid consultant for Tom DeLonge’s "To The Stars" organization, a role that came to light in the 2016 John Podesta email disclosures. While his wife has dismissed online theories suggesting his disappearance is linked to classified knowledge of "Roswell remains," the public interest remains high. Law enforcement officials continue to treat the matter as a standard missing person case, stating that there is currently no evidence of foul play or third-party involvement.