Missing Scientist's UFO Links Fuel New Allegations After Vanishing Days After Trump's Alien Files Order

Missing ex-Air Force research chief William Neil McCasland vanished from his Albuquerque home days after Donald Trump ordered the release of all US government UFO and extraterrestrial files.

Now, UFO whistleblower David Grusch has directly linked the 68-year-old scientist to an alleged effort to prepare Americans for disclosure, refocusing attention on McCasland's disappearance and his dealings with campaigner Tom DeLonge.

McCasland, 68, disappeared on 27 February from his Albuquerque, New Mexico, home, shortly after Trump's 19 February announcement that all files related to UFOs and extraterrestrials would be released. More than seven months later, he remains missing.

Grusch drew attention to that timing during the interview, while his allegations have renewed scrutiny of the former research chief's dealings with UFO campaigner Tom DeLonge.

Disputed Claims About Missing Scientist's Role

Speaking on Joe Rogan's podcast, Grusch alleged that McCasland participated in an effort to prepare Americans for UFO disclosure. He connected that activity to Hillary Clinton's pledge to release UFO files if elected president in 2016.

Grusch alleged that John Podesta had authorised the effort, suggesting DeLonge's public profile and perceived connection with younger audiences explained why the retired general engaged with him.

'I mean, once again, there was an attempt, and I'm not going to judge them bad or good, but they were trying to prep the battlespace prior to 2016.'

Podesta challenged that interpretation in an emailed response to PARADIGM, while acknowledging discussions involving DeLonge and McCasland. 'That is probably not how I would characterize our interaction,' Podesta wrote.

He recalled a conference call arranged by DeLonge about declassifying Defense Department files and reducing the stigma surrounding professionals taking UFOs seriously. Podesta maintained that Americans could handle information about unidentified aerial phenomena without first being prepared to receive it.

Grusch testified under oath in 2023 that the US government had secretly operated programmes to recover and reverse-engineer non-human spacecraft for decades.

He has previously alleged that McCasland oversaw classified programmes involving such craft and was uncooperative with lawmakers seeking to interview people about alleged extraterrestrial contact.

Emails Trace Missing Scientist's Contact With DeLonge

McCasland previously commanded the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, overseeing military science and technology research. He had also led its Phillips Research Site at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico.

DeLonge, the former Blink-182 frontman, shifted his career towards campaigning for government disclosure of unidentified aerial phenomena. He co-founded To The Stars Academy, which explored UFOs and other phenomena.

McCasland's connections to UFO discussions attracted public attention in 2016, when WikiLeaks published hacked emails from Podesta's account. A message dated 25 January 2016 and titled 'General McCasland' described DeLonge's dealings with him.

'I've been working with him for four months. I just got done giving him a four-hour presentation on the entire project a few weeks ago,' DeLonge wrote. 'He not only knows what I'm trying to achieve, he helped assemble my advisory team.'

The email also repeated the longstanding allegation that material from the Roswell incident had been taken to Wright-Patterson. It supplied no evidence substantiating that claim.

Missing Scientist Left Personal Belongings at Home

McCasland's phone, wearable devices and prescription glasses remained at his Albuquerque home when he disappeared.

His wife, Susan Wilkerson, told local police in February that she did not believe foul play was involved. She also told 911 dispatchers it appeared her husband 'had planned not to be found.' Local police have provided no updates in the case.