FBI Joins Search for Retired Air Force General William McCasland Following Mysterious New Mexico Disappearance

Retired Maj. Gen. Neil McCasland has been missing since February 27. Read the full report on the FBI investigation and the search in Albuquerque.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 16, 2026, 6:19 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Military.com

A Distinguished Career in Advanced Military Science and Technology

The disappearance of retired Maj. Gen. William "Neil" McCasland has sent ripples through the defense community, given his substantial role in shaping the future of American air and space power. Over a three decade career, McCasland rose to lead the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), where he managed an annual budget of approximately $2.2 billion dedicated to cutting edge military innovation. His oversight included critical advancements in satellite technology, directed energy weapons, and hypersonic propulsion, placing him at the center of the Pentagon’s most sophisticated long term research investments.

The Circumstances Surrounding the February Disappearance

Details regarding the day McCasland vanished suggest a sudden departure from his residence in Bernalillo County. On February 27, 2026, a repairman visited the home during the morning hours shortly before McCasland's wife, Susan McCasland Wilkerson, left for a scheduled medical appointment. Upon her return roughly an hour later, the retired general was no longer on the premises. Curiously, investigators discovered that while he left behind his mobile phone and glasses, several personal items were missing, including his wallet, hiking boots, and a .38 caliber revolver.

Federal Resources Mobilized for an Expanded Search Effort

The search for the 68 year old retired officer has escalated to include the FBI’s Albuquerque field office, which is providing forensic and digital investigative support to local law enforcement. Ground operations have involved extensive neighborhood canvassing, K-9 units, and drone surveillance across the surrounding New Mexico terrain. Despite the mobilization of federal assets and hundreds of volunteers, authorities have yet to identify a confirmed sighting or a clear lead, maintaining the case as an active missing persons investigation without immediate signs of criminal activity.