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By Jordan King
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Republican Representative Eric Burlison of Missouri said the missing retired Air Force Major General William Neil McCasland "has a lot of information" during a discussion about unidentified flying objects (UFOs).
The disappearance of McCasland, who was last seen on February 27, has caused a major stir in UFO circles because of his previous roles in major Air Force science and technology portfolios and his work with UFO research after his retirement.
His wife, Susan McCasland Wilkerson, has pushed back against this association, saying she doubted McCasland was kidnapped over any classified information or his "brief association with the UFO community."
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However, Burlison—who serves on the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, which has held hearings on UFOs and government transparency around them—said it was "really disturbing" for someone "that we believe has a lot of information" to disappear.
Why It Matters
McCasland's long career overseeing sensitive Air Force science and technology programs, including command of the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, has amplified concerns and fueled speculation since he vanished.
The involvement of the FBI alongside local authorities underscores the significance of the case, even as there is no evidence of foul play.
What To Know
Burlison made his comments on the UFO-focused investigative podcast Weaponized, which aired on March 13.
"General McCasland definitely is connected to the UAP topic," the congressman added, referring to unidentified anomalous phenomena. He also said, "We believe that he has a lot to say about this topic."
Burlison is one of many in the UFO community who have speculated that McCasland's disappearance may be connected to his involvement with the community and the U.S. military.
Investigative journalist Ross Coulthart, known for his work looking into UFOs, called the case a "grave national security crisis," saying McCasland is a man "with some of the most sensitive secrets of the United States in his head."
Wilkerson does not agree, sharing a statement on March 6 to address "misinformation" about her husband's case.
"Neil does not have any special knowledge about the ET bodies and debris from the Roswell crash stored at Wright-Patt," she wrote on social media. "Though at this point with absolutely no sign of him, maybe the best hypothesis is that aliens beamed him up to the mothership."
"However, no sightings of a mothership hovering above the Sandia Mountains have been reported," Wilkerson added.
McCasland, 68, left his Albuquerque home on foot around 11 a.m. on February 27, and a Silver Alert was issued because of unspecified medical issues, according to the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators said he left his phone, prescription glasses and wearable devices at home, and that they later found a gray U.S. Air Force sweatshirt about 1.25 miles east of his residence, with additional analysis pending.
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Congress' Interest in UAPs
Congressional interest in unidentified anomalous phenomena intensified after a 2023 House hearing where former Air Force intelligence officer David Grusch alleged a government cover-up related to UAPs.
Wright-Patterson, an Air Force base in Ohio, has long been associated in public lore with UFO research dating to the Roswell era, though the Air Force has repeatedly denied possessing extraterrestrial technology or bodies.
McCasland's name appeared in 2016 WikiLeaks emails involving former White House staffer John Podesta and musician Tom DeLonge, who described the retired general as a key adviser on UFO-related projects.
What Happens Next
Authorities are canvassing neighborhoods, reviewing security footage and pursuing tips as the FBI coordinates with local agencies in the Albuquerque area.
If new leads emerge, investigators are expected to expand targeted searches near where the Air Force sweatshirt was found and may broaden the multiagency effort.
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