Retired Air Force General Missing: Wife Fears Foul Play, Dismisses UFO Link
The search continues for retired Air Force Major General William “Neil” McCasland, who has been missing from his Albuquerque, Novel Mexico home since February 27, 2026. The case, which has drawn attention due to McCasland’s high-ranking military career and past involvement with UFO-related discussions, remains a mystery with authorities pursuing multiple leads.
McCasland’s wife, Susan McCasland Wilkerson, has been actively sharing updates and dispelling misinformation surrounding his disappearance on social media. She emphasized in a recent Facebook post that her husband does not suffer from dementia and downplayed speculation about a concerning phone call prior to his vanishing. Wilkerson similarly expressed skepticism that McCasland was abducted for classified information, noting his clearances were common and dated, according to a report from Fox News Digital.
A Broad Search Effort
The search for the 68-year-old has been extensive, involving the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI’s Albuquerque field office, New Mexico State Search and Rescue, Albuquerque Mountain Rescue, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the Albuquerque Police Department. Wilkerson detailed the breadth of the search, which has included ground teams, horseback riders, drone surveillance, helicopter sweeps, and canine units. She also noted efforts to review Ring doorbell footage and wildlife camera recordings for any sign of her husband.
Authorities issued a Silver Alert for McCasland, initially reporting unspecified medical issues. However, Wilkerson has clarified that his disappearance is not related to confusion or disorientation. The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward. Tips can be texted to “BCSO” at 847411 or reported by calling the missing persons unit at 505-468-7070.
From Air Force Research to UFO Speculation
McCasland’s career spanned decades in the U.S. Air Force, culminating in his role as commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. The AFRL is a key center for the development of aerospace technologies, and Wright-Patterson has a long history linked to investigations of unidentified aerial phenomena, having housed a program dedicated to studying UFOs from 1947 to 1969. Fox News notes that McCasland retired from the Air Force in 2013.
Beyond his official duties, McCasland’s name surfaced in connection with the UFO community through his association with Tom DeLonge, the musician and founder of To The Stars Academy of Arts &. Science. According to The Debrief, McCasland served as an unpaid consultant to DeLonge on military and scientific matters related to UFOs, contributing to the rocker’s fiction and media projects. Leaked emails from John Podesta, Hillary Clinton’s former campaign chairman, also referenced McCasland in discussions about UFOs.
Dismissing Theories, Seeking Answers
Wilkerson has actively addressed and dismissed several theories surrounding her husband’s disappearance. She stated that McCasland possessed no special knowledge regarding extraterrestrial bodies or the alleged Roswell crash, and she downplayed the significance of his past UFO-related consultations. In a particularly poignant statement reported by The Debrief, Wilkerson wryly suggested, “maybe the best hypothesis is that aliens beamed him up to the mothership,” before adding that no such sightings have been reported.
Despite the lack of concrete leads, the search continues with a focus on the Northeast Heights and the Sandia foothills, areas where McCasland frequently hiked, ran, and cycled. He was last seen near his home on Quail Run Court in Albuquerque on February 27th, and is described as 5 feet, 11 inches tall with white hair and blue eyes.
What’s Next in the Investigation
The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI are continuing to investigate all possible avenues, emphasizing the importance of public assistance. Authorities are specifically requesting that anyone who may have been in the Sandia Mountains on February 27th or 28th, and may have captured McCasland on a GoPro or other recording device, come forward with any information. The investigation is ongoing, and updates will be provided as they become available. The focus remains on locating McCasland and determining the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.
Authorities also reminded hikers of basic safety precautions, including choosing appropriate trails, informing others of their plans, dressing in layers, carrying sufficient water, and bringing a cell phone or other communication device.