A retired U.S. Air Force general was reported missing in New Mexico on Friday.
Retired Maj. Gen. William Neil McCasland, who previously commanded the Phillips Research Site at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico, has been reported missing after being last seen on Friday at 11 a.m.
The Phillips Research Site at Kirtland Air Force Base is notable for its research into advanced space and directed-energy weapons technology.
The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, which is leading the search for McCasland, has issued a Silver Alert for his disappearance.
Bernalillo County has issued a Silver Alert for retired Maj. Gen. William Neil McCasland, a longtime leader at Kirtland and former commander of the Phillips Research Site and Air Force Research Laboratory.
He was last seen Friday morning near Quail Run Court NE, and due to…
— Rep. Melanie Stansbury (@Rep_Stansbury) March 2, 2026
Per The New York Post:
A retired U.S. Air Force general was reported missing in New Mexico, with authorities warning that medical concerns have heightened fears for his safety.
Retired Maj. Gen. William Neil McCasland, 68, was last seen around 11 a.m. Friday near Quail Run Court NE in Albuquerque, the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office said.
Officials said they do not know what McCasland was wearing or in which direction he may have traveled. The sheriff’s office has issued a Silver Alert. “Due to his medical issues, law enforcement is concerned for his safety,” the sheriff’s office said.
McCasland was a longtime leader at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico and previously commanded Kirtland’s Phillips Research Site and Air Force Research Laboratory.
The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office is looking for assistance from the public in looking for 68-year-old William Neil McCasland. Last seen on 02/27/2026 at approximately 11:00 am in the area of Quail Run Ct NE. Unknown clothing description and unknown direction of travel.… pic.twitter.com/ZHv1idEDyv
— BCSO (Sheriff) NM (@BCSONM) February 28, 2026
The Albuquerque Journal reported that Col. Justin Secrest, the current commander of Kirtland Air Force Base, stated, “We are coordinating closely with local authorities and defer all updates regarding the search efforts to the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office.”
McClausand, who holds a Master of Science in aeronautical engineering from MIT and a Doctor of Philosophy in astronautical engineering, joined the Air Force in 1979 and served for 34 years.
His disappearance comes just weeks after Caltech astrophysicist Carl Grilmair was shot dead at his remote home in California.
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