Blake Stilwell

Blake Stilwell is a former Air Force combat photographer with degrees in Graphic Design, Television and Film, International Relations, Public Relations and Middle Eastern Affairs. Instead of using those, he (eventually) became a writer. His work has appeared on Business Insider, Military Times, We Are The Mighty, Fox News, and others. Blake is based in Los Angeles but is often found elsewhere.

Email: Blake.Stilwell@Military.com

Latest Articles

What could they possibly do to top 'John Wick: Chapter 4?' (Photo courtesy of Lionsgate)

The World's Most Deadly Assassin Gets New Life as 'John Wick 5' Is Confirmed

After the global success of "John Wick: Chapter 4," the motion picture studio Lionsgate announced there will be a Chapter 5.

Kate Winslet in "The Regime." (Warner Bros. Discovery)

‘Succession’ Producer’s Series About a Crumbling European Dictatorship to Debut in 2024

"The Regime" stars Kate Winslet as the authoritarian ruler of a failing European country.

George H.W. Bush (National Archives photo)

Famous Veterans: George H. Bush

Former President George H.W. Bush was also a lieutenant in the Navy, and he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and...

Josh Hartnett as Staff Sgt. Matthew Eversmann in "Black Hawk Down." (Sony Pictures)

6 of the Best Movies Made with Help from the Department of Defense

The Department of Defense is more than happy to lend its gear out to filmmakers, and has been doing it for more than a...

Gene Hackman in the "French Connection."

Famous Veteran: Gene Hackman

Two-time Academy Award winner Gene Hackman, a Marine Corps veteran, worked odd jobs before becoming an actor while in his 30s...

Chuck Norris doesn't swim; water makes way for Chuck Norris. (MGM)

Chuck Norris' CForce Gives Everyone the Power to Hydrate Like Chuck Norris

Chuck Norris turned 83 years old in 2023 and is (literally) still kicking, working his Navasota, Texas, ranch. At some point...

Harrison Ford ready to whip some Nazis in "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny." (Lucasfilm)

Indiana Jones Comes Back to Fight Time-Traveling Nazis in 'The Dial of Destiny'

Communists are great cinematic villains, just not for Indiana Jones.

Amir Khoury as young Imad Mughniyeh in “Ghosts of Beirut.” (Showtime)

How 'Ghosts of Beirut' Recreated the Hunt for the World's Deadliest Terrorist

"Ghosts of Beirut" is a new four-episode limited series that recreates the CIA's hunt for Imad Mughniyeh.

Arnold Schwarzenegger's New Netflix Spy Show Is Not All That 'FUBAR'

Everyone who served likely knows what FUBAR means.

Nicolas Cage in 2005's "Lord of War." (Lionsgate)

Nicolas Cage Will Return as Arms Dealer Yuri Orlov in an Upcoming 'Lord of War' Sequel

In May 2023, Cage signed on to team up with director Andrew Niccol to reprise his role from "Lord of War."

Hoa Xuande (left) and Robert Downey Jr. in 'The Sympathizer.' (WB Discovery)

Robert Downey Jr. to Star in an Adaptation of the Acclaimed Vietnam War Spy Satire 'The Sympathizer'

"The Sympathizer" is equal parts spy game, mystery novel, immigrant story, war memorial and, most importantly, dark comedy.

(Gerard Butler in "Kandahar." (Open Road)

Gerard Butler Attacks Iranian Nuclear Weapons, ISIS and the Taliban in 'Kandahar'

"Kandahar" is peak Gerard Butler. In the best possible way.

A grave at the New Bern National Cemetery is decorated with memorabilia in New Bern, North Carolina. (U.S. Marine Corps/Lance Cpl. Michael Neuenhoff)

4 Things to Remember Every Memorial Day

There are a few certain things that always happen throughout Memorial Day. Be prepared.

Clint Eastwood in 'Kelly's Heroes.' (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)

Famous Veterans: Clint Eastwood

After being drafted into the Army during the Korean War, Clint Eastwood was discovered while volunteering as a lifeguard at...

Famous Veterans: Chuck Norris

Chuck Norris, U.S. military veteran and martial arts superstar, began honing his skills in Korea while serving in the Air...

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Maj Gen. William Cooley addresses Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Pitch Day at the Air Force Research Laboratory in Dayton, Ohio.

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Spc. Austin Valley in his dress uniform.

A Soldier Attempted Suicide in Poland. Left to Roam at Fort Riley, He Killed Himself.

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Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., speaks during a Senate Appropriations hearing

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Russia's Interior Ministry issued an arrest warrant for U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham following his comments related to the...

Latest Military Videos

China Criticises US over Taiwan Trade Pact Plan

China’s government on Thursday criticised the United States' plans to sign a trade treaty with Taiwan. (June 1) AP

German FM describes country's support for Sweden NATO membership

Germany’s Foreign Minister on Thursday stressed that Sweden has her country's“full support” to join NATO. (June 1) AP

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U.S. and Japanese Coast Guard ships arrived in Manila on Thursday to conduct joint operations with members of the...

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Investigations and Features

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Army News

U.S. soldiers assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 9 Calvary Regiment, drive an M2 Bradley fighting vehicle during a fire support coordination exercise as part of Griffin Shock 23 at Bemowo Piskie, Poland.

Griffin Shock Sends 'Clear Message' on NATO Strength Amid War in Ukraine

Involving more than 3,000 soldiers from eight U.S. units and their enablers, and four other NATO countries -- Poland, Romania...

U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division, ‘Arctic Angels,’ clear an enemy bunker while assaulting their objective during a combined arms live-fire exercise at the infantry squad battle course on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.

Soldier Killed in Alaska Base Collision Identified

The U.S. Army has identified the 11th Airborne Division soldier killed in a collision late Sunday on Joint Base Elmendorf...

Navy News

Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Blessing Idahosa disburses a mailing address card to Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Charles Riley so that he can receive mail aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan.

Navy Retiree Pay Continues to Be Plagued with Technical Glitches

The Navy's efforts to deal with a software glitch that led to more than 1,200 of its retirees owing money to the federal...

A Navy Region Hawaii employee points to a valve as he explains the pipe configurations of the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Hawaii Department of Health officials during a site visit at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility.

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The Navy announced Wednesday it wants to dismantle the pipelines connecting the massive fuel tanks at its underground Red...

Air Force News

The welcome sign on display at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

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Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, testifies before the Senate Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Defense (SAC-D), during the National Guard and Reserve posture hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington.

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The general who oversees the National Guard vowed Thursday that another leak like the recent massive intelligence breach...

Space Force News

President Joe Biden falls on stage during the 2023 United States Air Force Academy Graduation Ceremony at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo.

White House Says Biden Is 'Fine' After He Tripped and Fell on Stage at Air Force Graduation

President Joe Biden fell on stage at the U.S. Air Force Academy graduation Thursday, and the White House said he was "fine"...

Florida’s Patrick Space Force Base was announced as the preferred headquarters location for STARCOM, the Air Force’s training and education command.

Space Force's STARCOM HQ Preferred Location Is Florida Base, Service Says

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Marine Corps News

Poisoned Water: How a Navy Ship Dumped Fuel and Sickened Its Own Crew

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Three off-duty Marines were kicked and punched by 30 teenagers and young adults near the San Clemente Pier

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Nine minors were arrested Tuesday after a melee near the San Clemente Pier over Memorial Day weekend in which a group of 30...

Coast Guard News

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas delivered the keynote address at the Coast Guard Academy

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U.S. Coast Guard Port Security Unit (PSU) 311 members and U.S. Navy Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron 11 members complete joint agency exercises aboard a 32-foot transportable port security boat off San Clemente Island.

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The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its search for a plane that crashed in the ocean near San Clemente Island on Wednesday...