William Neil McCasland, a retired US Air Force major general and former commander of key research units, has been reported missing in New Mexico, prompting authorities to issue a Silver Alert amid concerns over his health and safety.
McCasland, 68, was last seen around 11 a.m. Friday near Quail Run Court NE in Albuquerque, according to the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. Officials said they do not know what he was wearing at the time of his disappearance or which direction he may have traveled.
“Due to his medical issues, law enforcement is concerned for his safety,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement, urging the public to come forward with any information.
Authorities have asked anyone with details about McCasland’s whereabouts to text BCSO to 847411 or contact the sheriff’s Missing Persons Unit at +1 (505) 468-7070.
Veteran space and research leader goes missing
McCasland is a longtime leader at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico and previously commanded Kirtland’s Phillips Research Site as well as the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio.
In his role as commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory, he was responsible for managing the Air Force’s USD 2.2 billion science and technology programme, along with an additional USD 2.2 billion in customer-funded research and development, according to his official US Air Force biography.
Commissioned in 1979 after graduating from the United States Air Force Academy with a degree in astronautical engineering, McCasland held multiple senior leadership roles in space research, acquisition and operations. His career also included work with the National Reconnaissance Office.
Kirtland base coordinating with authorities
Col. Justin Secrest, commander of the 377th Air Base Wing at Kirtland, told the Albuquerque Journal that the base is working closely with local law enforcement agencies.
“We are coordinating closely with local authorities and defer all updates regarding the search efforts to the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office,” Secrest said. “Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.”
US Rep. Melanie Stansbury also shared news of McCasland’s disappearance on social media, highlighting his long service and leadership at Kirtland.
While some social media users have drawn comparisons to other high-profile missing persons cases, authorities have not indicated any evidence of abduction.
Officials continue to treat the case as a missing person investigation under a Silver Alert, which is typically issued when an elderly individual or someone with medical concerns goes missing.
Investigators have reiterated that there is no confirmed information about the circumstances of McCasland’s disappearance and have appealed to the public for assistance as search efforts continue.
