Blake Stilwell

Blake Stilwell is a former Air Force combat photographer with degrees and experience in Graphic Design, Television and Film, International Relations, Public Relations and Middle Eastern Affairs. Instead of using any of that, he (eventually) became a writer. His work has appeared in Recoil Magazine, Military Times, Coffee or Die, Skillset Magazine, and more. Blake is based in Ohio but is often found elsewhere.

Email: Blake.Stilwell@Military.com

Latest Articles

'Race Against Terror': CNN's Jake Tapper Details the Extraordinary Investigation into an Al-Qaida Fighter's Murder of US Troops in Combat

The case was essentially a murder investigation. The suspect was in custody, and he'd even admitted to the killings; all...

Kevyn Major Howard as Rafterman in "Full Metal Jacket." (Warner Bros.)

'Full Metal Jacket' Actor and Military Advocate Kevyn Major Howard Dead at 69

Actor and philanthropist Kevyn Major Howard, best known for his role as Marine Corps combat photographer "Rafterman" in...

Christoph Waltz as "The Jew Hunter" Standartenführer Hans Landa in "Inglourious Basterds." (Universal Pictures)

The 10 Best War Movie Villains

To leave a lasting impression, villains not only have to present a real challenge to the hero, but they also have to evoke...

Belgians still place fresh flowers at the Eric Fisher Wood Memorial in Meyerode, built at the site where his body was found.

The Son of an American Legion Founder Led a Guerrilla Campaign of Terror Against the Nazis

By today's standards, Eric Fisher Wood Sr. would probably not have joined the National Guard, let alone join two armies to...

Doug Hegdahl survived two years in Hoa Lo by playing dumb. But he was one of the most important POWs ever sent there. (U.S. Navy)

'The Unlikely War Hero': The Youngest and Lowest-Ranking Vietnam War POW in the Hanoi Hilton

Author, historian and Vietnam veteran Marc Leepson's new book, "The Unlikely War Hero: A Vietnam War POW's Story of Courage...

Anywhere between 400-1,000 women fought in the Civil War as men.

How Women Enlisted as Men to Fight in the Civil War

American women would not be welcome as full-time military members until 1948, but those who really, really wanted to fight...

Mark Matthews saw combat with the 10th Cavalry in the American West and on Saipan during World War II.

The Oldest-Ever Buffalo Soldier Enlisted in 1910 and Lived to Fight in 2 World Wars

Retired 1st Sgt. Mark Matthews was a soldier who saw the U.S. Army evolve from horse-mounted cavalry to diesel-driven...

Anthony Mackie and Danny Ramirez visited Nellis Air Force Base, where Captain America himself joined Pararescuemen from the 58th Rescue Squadron for an unforgettable jump out of an Air Force HC-130J Combat King II. (Marvel Studios)

Watch Air Force PJs Teach Anthony Mackie to Fly Ahead of the 'Captain America: Brave New World' Release

It's probably no surprise that Captain America loves the troops.

Piotr Glowacki is legendary boxer Tadeusz Pietrzykowski in 'The Champion (of Auschwitz).' (Iron Films/Galapagos Films)

The Best Military Movies and Shows Streaming Right Now on Netflix

If you're looking for the best war movies on Netflix, we're here to help you stop the scrolling, move past the algorithm and...

Lt. Col. (ret.) Harry Stewart, an original Tuskegee Airmen and World War II veteran, during the renaming of Birch Street to “Tuskegee Airmen Way” at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in February 2018. (U.S. Air Force/Master Sgt. David Kujawa)

Tuskegee Airman and Legendary World War II Fighter Pilot Harry Stewart Dies at 100

Harry Stewart Jr. would survive World War II as one of only four Tuskegee Airmen with three air-to-air victories in a single...

"Surviving Black Hawk Dawn," a three-part documentary series, starts streaming on Feb. 10, 2025. (Netflix)

New Netflix Documentary 'Surviving Black Hawk Down' Interviews Both Sides of the Battle of Mogadishu 32 Years Later

Though both U.S. Army leaders and journalists have meticulously documented how the Battle of Mogadishu unfolded decades ago...

Willem Dafoe, Charlie Sheen and Tom Berenger star in Oliver Stone's Vietnam War movie classic, 'Platoon.' (Orion Pictures/Amazon MGM)

The Best Military Movies and Shows Streaming Right Now on Amazon Prime Video

If you're looking for the best war movies on Amazon's Prime Video service, our list can help you cut through the chaff and...

Paul Mescal stars as Hanno in "Gladiator II." (Paramount Pictures)

The Best Military Movies and Shows Streaming Right Now on Paramount+

Paramount+ may not have all our old favorites when it comes to war movies and television shows, but there's no shortage of...

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...

"The Death of General Warren at the Battle of Bunker's Hill" by John Trumbull.

Ken Burns Returns to PBS with New Documentary 'The American Revolution'

An era-appropriate melody plays as photographs move slowly across the screen and a voice reads heartfelt letters written...

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Space Force Brig. Gen. Kristin L. Lanzenhagen, right, talks with moderator Walt Jackim

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U.S. Coast Guard C-130 Hercules crew prepares for an expulsion flight

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