Retired Air Force General Who Researched UFOs Goes Missing as Authorities Raise ‘Concern for His Safety’

Authorities in New Mexico are appealing for public assistance in locating retired U.S. Air Force Major General William Neil McCasland, who has been missing since February 27. The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that a silver alert has been issued for the 68-year-old former military leader, who was last seen in the Quail Run Court NE area around 11 a.m. local time. Concerns for his safety have been raised due to his existing medical issues, though details regarding his clothing and the direction he was heading at the time of his disappearance remain unclear.

McCasland commanded Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio as the head of the Air Force Research Laboratory from 2011 until his retirement in October 2013. In this prominent role, he oversaw a significant budget of $2.2 billion directed towards science and technology programmes, alongside further research and development initiatives funded by external customers. His extensive military career included other noteworthy positions, including command at the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Phillips Research Site at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico.

While McCasland’s professional achievements are well-documented, his name has also surfaced in connection with discussions surrounding unidentified flying objects (UFOs). In 2016, an email exchange published by WikiLeaks between John Podesta, a former chief of staff to President Bill Clinton, and Tom DeLonge, a guitarist from the band Blink-182 and UFO advocate, mentioned McCasland in discussions about UFO-related projects. DeLonge noted that McCasland had acted as an advisor on various initiatives and referenced the historical significance of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in handling UFO artifacts, particularly the supposed debris from the notorious Roswell incident.

According to an article from The Ohio State University, Wright-Patterson was the operational hub of Project Blue Book, a military investigation into UFO sightings that took place between 1952 and 1969. The project scrutinised nearly 13,000 reports, of which 701 cases remained unexplained, fuelling ongoing speculation regarding extraterrestrial phenomena and government transparency.

Despite the buzz around McCasland’s association with UFO discussions, it is noteworthy that there are no official records confirming his advisory role in this area. Furthermore, McCasland has not publicly acknowledged or denied any involvement. His contributions to the military, however, are well regarded, with accolades including the Distinguished Service Medal and the Defense Superior Service Medal, which underscore his influence within the ranks of the U.S. military.

Base commander Col. Justin Secrest of the 377th Air Base Wing at Kirtland expressed support for McCasland’s family while cooperating with local law enforcement during the search efforts. “Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time,” Secrest stated, highlighting the affected community’s grief and concern.

McCasland’s educational background includes a degree in astronautical engineering from the Air Force Academy, where he was commissioned in 1979. His impressive portfolio features strategic roles within the Pentagon, including leadership in Space Acquisition and Special Programs, which further solidifies his position within national defence structures.

In light of McCasland’s disappearance, authorities have encouraged anyone with information to come forward. The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office has established a hotline for tips via text at 847411 or through their missing persons unit at 1-505-468-7070, emphasising the importance of community involvement in locating the missing general.

As the search continues, the blending of McCasland’s professional legacy in defence and technology, alongside his unexpected disappearance, creates an unsettling narrative within both military circles and the broader public domain. The hope remains that he will be found safe and that his family will be reunited with him soon.