This is a developing story. UFOUAP will update this article as new information becomes available.

Bernalillo County authorities have issued a Silver Alert for 68-year-old retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. William Neil McCasland after he was reported missing in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was last seen on February 27, 2026, around 11:00 a.m. near Quail Run Ct NE. His clothing and direction of travel are unknown. Authorities have cited medical concerns for his safety.

The name will ring a bell for anyone who has followed the UFO disclosure timeline. McCasland was identified in the 2016 WikiLeaks release of Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta’s emails as a central figure in musician-turned-disclosure-advocate Tom DeLonge’s UFO advisory team.

Who Is William McCasland?

McCasland is a retired two-star general whose career placed him at the intersection of advanced aerospace technology and classified research.

His most prominent role was commanding the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio – a base that has featured in UFO lore since the 1940s. At AFRL, he oversaw a $4 billion science and technology portfolio and a workforce of more than 10,000 personnel. Before that, he commanded the Phillips Research Site of AFRL at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque and held positions with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).

His career was defined by work on space systems, directed energy, sensors, and advanced weapons – the kinds of programs that sit at the edge of what the public is allowed to know.

The Podesta Emails

In October 2016, WikiLeaks published a trove of emails from John Podesta’s Gmail account. Among them were exchanges between Podesta and Tom DeLonge, the former Blink-182 frontman who had pivoted to UFO research and would later co-found To the Stars Academy.

In one email, DeLonge wrote:

“He [General McCasland] just has to be careful. He can’t be seen as supporting this stuff. But he’s been ahead of me the whole time.”

A separate thread showed McCasland directly coordinating a meeting with Podesta. The CC list on that email included a Lockheed Martin address (rob.f.weiss@lmco.com), belonging to Rob Weiss, then executive vice president of Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works division.

Another email from DeLonge stated plainly:

“General McCasland… helped assemble my advisory team. He’s a very important man.”

McCasland never publicly confirmed or denied these characterizations. He has not spoken publicly about UAP.

The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) is leading the investigation. Col. Justin Secrest, commander of the 377th Air Base Wing at Kirtland AFB, confirmed the base is “coordinating closely with local authorities” and deferred further updates to BCSO. New Mexico Search and Rescue is assisting.

“Due to his medical issues, law enforcement is concerned for his safety.” – Deanna Aragon, BCSO spokesperson

It is important to note: no official connection has been established between McCasland’s disappearance and any UAP-related activity. The Silver Alert cites medical concerns. Anything beyond that is speculation.

What Happens Next

If McCasland is found safe, this story ends where it should – with relief. But his disappearance, given his background, has already drawn significant attention from the UAP research community and the press.

UFOUAP is monitoring official channels and will publish updates as the situation develops. Follow our weekly news for timestamped coverage.

How to Report Information

If you have any information about Maj. Gen. McCasland’s whereabouts:

  • Call: BCSO Missing Persons Unit – (505) 468-7070
  • Text: Send keyword BCSO followed by your tip to 847411
  • Online: bernco.gov/tip411

Sources