# One of our generals is missing **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 3, 2026, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-our-generals-is-missing/1028154 "2026-03-03T03:57:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2026, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-our-generals-is-missing/1028154/1 "2026-03-03T03:57:24Z")
[Retired General William McCasland Is Missing. Some Draw Parallels to Nancy Guthrie](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/retired-general-william-mccasland-missing-071529779.html) > [@](#): > > Maj. Gen. William McCasland was the Commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. In that position, he was “responsible for managing the Air Force’s $2.2 billion science and technology program as well as additional customer-funded research and development of $2.2 billion,” [his U.S. Air Force bio says.](https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/article/104776/major-general-william-n-mccasland/) > > That’s a powerful position and, now, McCasland has mysteriously disappeared[. That’s caused some people](https://x.com/fien_X/status/2028354658897428744?s=20)on social media to draw parallels to the Nancy Guthrie abduction. As with Guthrie, 84, McCasland, 68, is an elderly person with some prominence and medical issues who suddenly disappeared in the American Southwest. Beyond that, though, there is no indication of any connection, and authorities have not said there is; unlike Guthrie, authorities have not said that McCasland, of New Mexico, was abducted, and he’s not getting a lot of news coverage. They’ve issued a silver alert for him. > > Still, as with Guthrie, the disappearance of William Neil McCasland is an odd case, largely due to his background. It’s not every day that a retired general goes missing. _There is more at the link._ ---
**Author:** ![ASL\_v2.0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asl_v2.0/32/3525_2.png) [@ASL\_v2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASL_v2.0)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2026, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-our-generals-is-missing/1028154/2 "2026-03-03T04:04:17Z")
For the curious, this is his official bio: [https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/article/104776/major-general-william-n-mccasland/](https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/article/104776/major-general-william-n-mccasland/) It never ceases to amaze me how far some people can make it in the military (disproportionately, it seems, in the Air Force) without deploying even once in their entire career. Must be nice. Anyway, a lot of fluff in the “news” article. It quotes extensively from his bio, perhaps to satisfy a minimum word count. Not even trying. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2026, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-our-generals-is-missing/1028154/3 "2026-03-03T04:08:29Z")
68 is elderly? ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2026, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-our-generals-is-missing/1028154/4 "2026-03-03T04:09:32Z")
LOL, I know, right? ---
**Author:** ![ASL\_v2.0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asl_v2.0/32/3525_2.png) [@ASL\_v2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASL_v2.0)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2026, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-our-generals-is-missing/1028154/5 "2026-03-03T04:09:45Z")
On the one hand, I see your point. On the other hand, technically, I suppose he may be. In my state, “elder abuse” is defined as abusing someone who is 65 years of age or older. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2026, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-our-generals-is-missing/1028154/6 "2026-03-03T04:11:00Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > 68 is elderly? Oh, to be 68 again, in the prime of youth! 😁 ETA: Mind you, we’re talking dog years here, right? ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2026, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-our-generals-is-missing/1028154/7 "2026-03-03T04:12:11Z")
To be fair, for some, 68 _is_ elderly. For others, they’re still in their prime. I hope he is found soon, and is all right. I find the story pretty creepy. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2026, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-our-generals-is-missing/1028154/8 "2026-03-03T04:15:00Z")
> [@ASL\_v2.0](#): > > It never ceases to amaze me how far some people can make it in the military (disproportionately, it seems, in the Air Force) without deploying even once in their entire career. Must be nice. It’s not that hard with the slide rule set. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan\_myers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@aruvqan\_myers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan_myers)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2026, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-our-generals-is-missing/1028154/9 "2026-03-03T20:03:53Z")
> **Puzzlegal hid a thread shit** > > No shit - the 3 years I was in Norfolk VA with my husband [Sub Group 2, USS Spadefish] the CO detested his family and spent as much time deployed as he could [they had to tell him to stop deploying because it was not fair to the families] - back 80s it was typically a 3 or 6 month deployment every year with short 1, 2 r 3 week deployments. I think a couple years he had 2 - 3 or 4 month outs in a year with a bunch of shorties. Shore duty was better, it was like a day job with 1 overnight every third day. Post 95ish the actual deployments shortened - no more fast attack 6 month deployments, but a lot of little ones down to the Caribbean rather than one of the longer North Sea/Med/Southern Caribbean tours. ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2026, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-our-generals-is-missing/1028154/10 "2026-03-03T20:52:58Z")
Wright-Patterson is mentioned regularly in UFO (now UAP) lore. Maybe the General has been abducted? ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2026, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-our-generals-is-missing/1028154/11 "2026-03-03T20:53:25Z")
_whistles the X-Files tune_ ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2026, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-our-generals-is-missing/1028154/12 "2026-03-03T20:58:41Z")
The Truth is Out there. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2026, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-our-generals-is-missing/1028154/13 "2026-03-03T21:00:32Z")
If he comes back with a mysterious trembling hump in the back of the neck it may be concerning. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-our-generals-is-missing/1028154/14 "2026-03-04T00:40:09Z")
Moderating: this is really off-topic, into thread shit territory. Please don’t post if you don’t have anything at least vaguely relevant to say. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-our-generals-is-missing/1028154/15 "2026-03-12T05:28:53Z")
[The FBI is now involved in the search.](https://www.aol.com/news/fbi-joins-search-retired-air-185913170.html) > [@](#): > > “Due to his background and established partnerships, BCSO is coordinating closely with multiple agencies,” including the FBI Albuquerque Field Office and Kirtland Air Force Base, the [sheriff’s office said](https://www.facebook.com/BCSONM/posts/pfbid0hKbJAFt8AW3trvBfgQZ1PgyXjsicrCw7oi4QAJczZmm6Uh9cxUqUwjDScigh8vhql? __cft__ %5B0%5D=AZaTy_9KQJCvmAsn2DZGuwxu22-sKTBWWX707x77ZOeH6B5PNnNqKc5LlYV3xsDqIxvju5T1pz3xa58cVYsPOO0E6E_JQ8OFXlqNwDJy09aQZDtIyuYrAzsdPb0vuoAZlrRTaV72CA16jBFtEimEeLxqKoX8Px_C23TsX1cxGnZF0LNsWloVENjg4bZPCs6-l5A& __tn__ =%2CO%2CP-R). The FBI has confirmed its involvement. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-our-generals-is-missing/1028154/16 "2026-03-12T05:47:36Z")
The article makes it sound like alien conspiracists are a possibility. > He also commanded the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base — a base long rumored to house extraterrestrial debris linked to Roswell, despite Air Force denials. > > Following his retirement, McCasland worked with To The Stars, Inc., a company co-founded by Blink-182 musician Tom DeLonge that says it studies information about unidentified aerial phenomena. > His disappearance came just days after President Donald Trump announced in a Truth Social post he was directing the Pentagon and other federal agencies to release government records related to extraterrestrial life and UFOs. More in the article. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-our-generals-is-missing/1028154/17 "2026-03-12T12:09:00Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > The article makes it sound like alien conspiracists are a possibility. It’s the only logical explanation. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-our-generals-is-missing/1028154/18 "2026-03-12T13:42:50Z")
I guess the general was abducted by mysterious operative and brought to a secret base underground where he was taken to a screen in which a bald man whose face is enclosed in shadows greeted him with a gravely voiced “Hello, commander”… ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-our-generals-is-missing/1028154/19 "2026-03-12T14:36:44Z")
“Death and Destruction!” ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2026, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-our-generals-is-missing/1028154/20 "2026-03-12T14:42:43Z")
**OR** he went into a seldom-visited area (like New Mexico), had a heart attack, and died. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/one-of-our-generals-is-missing/1028154.md?page=2)