Retired General VANISHES — Loaded Gun Missing

A retired Air Force major general with deep ties to America’s most secretive UFO research facilities has vanished without a trace in New Mexico, leaving behind his phone but taking a loaded revolver into the rugged wilderness.

Story Snapshot

Retired Major General William “Neil” McCasland, 68, disappeared February 27, 2026, from his Albuquerque home during a one-hour window
McCasland commanded Wright-Patterson Air Force Base’s Research Laboratory, historic headquarters of Project Blue Book’s UFO investigations from 1952-1969
He left without his phone or Apple Watch but took hiking gear, wallet, and a .38-caliber revolver into the Sandia Mountains
Despite extensive searches using drones, helicopters, dogs, and ground teams coordinated with the FBI and Kirtland Air Force Base, no trace has been found after two weeks
The disappearance coincides with President Trump’s February 2026 order for UFO file releases, though authorities find no connection

High-Profile Military Leader Vanishes in Mysterious Circumstances

Major General William “Neil” McCasland disappeared from his Northeast Heights residence in Albuquerque on the morning of February 27, 2026. The 68-year-old retired officer, standing 5’11” with white hair and blue eyes, left during a roughly one-hour window without alerting family members. Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office issued a Silver Alert on February 28 after his wife reported him missing. McCasland’s decision to leave his phone and Apple Watch behind while taking his wallet, hiking boots, and a loaded .38-caliber revolver has raised serious concerns among investigators about his safety and intentions.

The retired general is a known avid hiker familiar with the Sandia Mountains and surrounding Northeast Heights trails. However, the rugged terrain has significantly complicated search efforts. Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office deployed extensive resources including foot teams, horseback units, drones, helicopters, and search dogs. The FBI has joined the investigation, and Kirtland Air Force Base is coordinating with civilian authorities despite McCasland’s retirement status since October 2013. Authorities maintain tip lines at 505-468-7070 and via text to BCSO at 847411, specifically requesting GoPro or wildlife camera footage from the Sandia area during February 27-28.

Commander of America’s UFO Research Headquarters

McCasland’s military career positioned him at the center of facilities historically associated with government UFO investigations. He commanded the Phillips Research Site at Kirtland Air Force Base before leading the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio from 2011 to 2013. Wright-Patterson served as headquarters for Project Blue Book, the Air Force’s official UFO investigation program that analyzed thousands of sightings between 1952 and 1969. This connection has fueled intense speculation online, particularly given the timing of his disappearance shortly after President Trump ordered the release of classified UFO and UAP files in February 2026.

Post-retirement, McCasland consulted informally on military topics for Blink-182 frontman Tom DeLonge’s UFO-related projects. His wife, Susan McCasland Wilkerson, has publicly addressed wild theories circulating on social media. In a March 7 Facebook post, she sarcastically remarked, “maybe aliens beamed him up,” firmly rejecting speculation that her husband possessed special extraterrestrial knowledge or that his disappearance relates to classified information. She emphasized that his security clearances are outdated after 13 years of retirement and expressed frustration with the media frenzy distracting from ground search efforts. Authorities have found no evidence linking his disappearance to UFO matters, treating this as a missing hiker case.

Search Efforts Continue With No Leads

As of mid-March 2026, two weeks after McCasland’s disappearance, investigators have found no physical evidence or credible sightings. The Silver Alert designates him as an at-risk adult, though family members confirm he shows no signs of dementia or cognitive impairment. Private investigator Steve Fischer, commenting on the case, noted the unusual absence of witnesses or clothing descriptions that typically aid missing person investigations. The lack of his personal electronic devices eliminates standard tracking methods that might otherwise assist searchers. His wife’s public statements reveal the family’s anguish and determination to focus resources on the physical search rather than entertaining sensational theories.

Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office maintains this is an active investigation with no confirmed foul play. The presence of McCasland’s revolver adds complexity, raising questions about whether he anticipated danger or simply carried it for wilderness protection. Albuquerque residents and hiking communities have volunteered to assist, while authorities continue urging anyone with information, particularly trail camera footage from late February, to come forward. The convergence of McCasland’s military background, the Trump administration’s UFO transparency push, and New Mexico’s historic association with unexplained phenomena dating back to the 1947 Roswell incident ensures this case will remain under intense public scrutiny until answers emerge.