Silver Alert issued for retired Major General, has alleged connection to NASA’s Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena research

Authorities issued a Silver Alert for retired Maj. Gen. William Neil McCasland, missing from his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, since Friday, Feb. 27, 2026, according to the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office.

McCasland, 68, was last seen at approximately 11:00 am in the area of Quail Run Court Northeast in Albuquerque, the sheriff’s office said. According to Bernalillo County law enforcement, McCasland’s clothing description and direction of travel are unknown. Due to his medical issues, “law enforcement is concerned for his safety,” officials shared.

The United States uses the Silver Alert public notification system to locate missing adults — primarily senior citizens — with cognitive impairments. Officials have not publicly indicated evidence of an abduction, violence, or criminal foul play at this time.

Who is William Neil McCasland?

McCasland led a distinguished United States Air Force career spanning several decades. He specialized in cybersecurity, directed energy, and next-generation aerospace systems, focusing his work on the research, development, and acquisition of advanced defense technologies.

McCasland currently serves as the Director of Technology at Applied Technology Associates, a subsidiary of BlueHalo, a major defense contractor, in Albuquerque.

McCasland and UAPs

UFO researcher Tom DeLonge referenced McCasland in leaked 2016 emails to John Podesta, who had served as White House Chief of Staff and later Hillary Clinton’s campaign chair.

DeLonge described McCasland as someone he had worked with on UAP-related advisory efforts. The Blink-182 singer and noted UAP researcher linked him to the lab rumored to have held debris from the 1947 Roswell incident. These claims are based on DeLonge’s emails and remain unverified and speculative.

McCasland is the second elderly individual to vanish in the American Southwest in recent months. He follows the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, mother of NBC’s Today co-host Savannah Guthrie. Her family reported her missing from Tucson, Arizona, on Feb. Authorities have confirmed foul play is suspected in Nancy’s disappearance. There is no known connection between the two cases.

The search continues

Referring to McCasland, Col. Justin Secrest, base commander of the 377th Air Base Wing at Kirtland Air Force Base, where McCasland served as commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory, said in a statement, “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,” per the Albuquerque Journal. U.S. Representative for New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District, Melanie Stansbury, also shared the news that McCasland was missing on social media.

McCasland is described as 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighing 160 lbs, with blue eyes and gray hair. Authorities urge anyone with information about McCasland to text BCSO to 847411 or call the sheriff’s Missing Persons Unit at +1 (505) 468-7070.