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, ABC News, NBC Sports, HBO Boxing, and at the White House. Blake is based in Los Angeles but is often found elsewhere.

Email: Blake.Stilwell@Military.com

Latest Articles

A U.S. Air Force F-105D Thunderchief shot down over North Vietnam. (U.S. Air Force)

How Combat Search and Rescue Evolved to 'Leave No One Behind'

A new book chronicles how combat search and rescue developed from the early days of World War II.

"The Liberator" lands on Netflix on Veterans Day 2020. (Netflix)

How the American West Came to Liberate Europe in World War II

A motley group of cowboys, Mexican-Americans and American Indians fought their way across Europe.

In his lifetime, Eugene Bullard was a boxer, infantryman, fighter pilot and veteran of two World Wars. (U.S. Air Force)

'The Black Swallow of Death' Was an American Hero of France and the First Black Fighter Pilot

After watching his dad narrowly escape a lynch mob, Eugene Bullard fled to France and took to the skies.

The Italians saw propaganda value in killing Nessie.

That Time Fascists Tried to Assassinate the Loch Ness Monster

They'd have to do a lot better to win World War II.

Then Lt. Kurt Chew Een Lee in Korea, 1950. (U.S. Marine Corps)

The First Chinese-American Marine Corps Officer Shouted Orders Even the Enemy Followed

Kurt Chew-Een Lee yelled orders at the enemy in Mandarin during the Korean War to sow confusion. It worked.

Corporal Matt Hunter directs a Humvee into one of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 252's KC-130Js so that it can retrieve a piece of cargo carried by the aircraft from Al Asad, Iraq, to Baghdad. Hunter is a loadmaster, and in that capacity serves many roles in the preflight, in-flight and post-flight phases of the squadron's missions. (Cpl. James D. Hamel)

Read a Marine Corps PAO Story by ‘Hillbilly Elegy’ Author JD Vance

Author JD Vance was once a Marine Corps Public Affairs writer. We found one of his stories.

Russia's 'Paratrooper Day' Is the Wildest Veterans Party in the World

No one celebrates their service quite like Russia's airborne troops.

The First Paralyzed American to Finish a Marathon was a Vietnam Veteran

She was paralyzed because of the chemicals she handled in Vietnam. But that didn't stop her.

U.S. Army soldiers during a sweep of the Viejo section of Panama City on Dec. 27, 1989. (U.S. Army)

That Time Army Rangers Got in a Gunfight with the Crips Street Gang

Army Sgt. Bill Foulk bought a house in a rough neighborhood as an investment. He wanted to protect it.

Thomas Weatherwax was 55 and had 11 children when he enlisted in the Union Army in 1863.

The 'Graybeards' Were an Infantry Unit Just for Men Too Old for Military Service

They were never supposed to see action but the old men of the Union Army were among the most reliable.

A Redditor Is Making Memes for Every World War II Medal of Honor Recipient

What better way to learn World War II history than through pop culture memes. Welcome to Reddit.

Two American soldiers run towards a bunker. (Library of Congress)

The Surprising Reason Military Dog Tags Originally Came in Pairs

Enlisted people wanted to be sure their families could find their remains.

Why 'Veterans Day' Doesn't Use an Apostrophe

The right way to spell out "Veterans Day" -- because it doesn't belong to anyone.

One of the most affecting sights witnessed during the reunion of Confederate and Federal veterans at Gettysburg: Old soldiers of the North and South clasped hands in fraternal affection. (Library of Congress)

Watch Children of Civil War Veterans Talk About Their Fathers

Our personal connections with the Civil War and its veterans are a lot closer than we think.

"Hedgemony" forces players to think like the Secretary of Defense.

A Think Tank Just Created a Board Game That's Like 'Risk' on Steroids

"Risk" will teach you where Kamchatka is. Rand's "Hedgemony" will teach you U.S. defense strategy.

Military News

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Most Popular Military News

U.S. Representative for Virginia's 2nd congressional district, Elaine Luria

VA Plans to Outsource All Compensation and Pension Exams

In a letter to VA Secretary Robert Wilkie, Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Va., said the plan was developed with no notice to Congress.

USAA Bank Fined $85 Million by Federal Regulators for 'Violations of Law'

USAA Federal Savings Bank is part of USAA, which has about 13 million military and veteran-affiliated members.

The Army Is Looking into the Soldier who Vibed with Cranberry Juice and Fleetwood Mac During an Airborne Jump

The Army has said they are looking into the soldier’s actions for potential safety violations.

Leg tucks during a pilot for the Army Combat Readiness Test.

'Soldiers' Careers Depend on It': Senators Want to Halt Army Combat Fitness Test Rollout

Two senators say the new Army Combat Fitness Test sets unrealistic standards for some soldiers.

AH-1W Super Cobra Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base

After More than 3 Decades, the Corps' AH-1W Super Cobra Makes its Final Flight

The Marine Corps has officially retired the AH-1W Super Cobra helicopter.

Latest Military Videos

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An unmanned aerial vehicle delivers a payload to the Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarine USS Henry M. Jackson (SSBN 730) around...

Remembering the Beirut Barracks Bombing

Marines and sailors reflect on the service members who lost their lives during the barracks bombing attack in Beirut...

Denver MEPS Enlists Its First-Ever Space Force Members

Army News

He Was Convicted of War Crimes and Pardoned by Trump. Now He Wants to Reform Military Justice

Clint Lorance hopes to revamp the military justice system that convicted him of war crimes.

FILE - In this Jan. 4, 2020, file photo a sign for at Fort Bragg, N.C., is shown.

Fort Bragg Officials: No Health Issues Reported After Mold Found in Barracks

The root cause of the mold was malfunctioning heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems.

Navy recruits are fitted in their dress blue jumper top, traditionally known as the “Crackerjack.”

Mississippi Garment Maker Awarded $10.6 Million Military Uniform Contract

The company produce garments for the Navy and the Army.

Navy News

Navy Lt. Rhiannon Ross, 30, of Wixom, Michigan, died when the T-6B Texan II trainer aircraft she was in crashed in Foley, Alabama, Oct. 23, 2020 (U.S. Navy)

Navy IDs 30-Year-Old Instructor Pilot Killed in Trainer Plane Crash

The second person killed in a military plane that crashed in Alabama on Friday was a Navy instructor pilot, officials...

Coast Guard Ensign Morgan Garrett, of Waxhaw, N.C., died when her aircraft went down in a neighborhood in Foley, Alabama, Oct. 23, 2020. (U.S. Coast Guard)

Coast Guard Officer Killed in Navy Trainer Crash Identified

A Coast Guard officer has been identified as one of two service members who died Friday in the crash of a T-6B Texan II...

T-6B Texan II training aircraft are staged on the tarmac at Millington Regional Jetport.

Investigation Continues into NAS Whiting T-6B Texan II Crash that Killed 2 in Alabama

The crash came less than a week after the Navy closed out the fiscal year without a single aviation-related fatality.

Air Force News

Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System-equipped C-130 planes.

Senators Want Upgraded C-130s Assigned to Western Firefighting Mission

Lawmakers first made the request in February, before the Air Guard announced its list of candidates for the newer C-130J.

Joint Chiefs of Staff Vice Chairman Air Force Gen. John E. Hyten

Judge Permits Sex Assault Case Against Joint Chiefs Vice Chairman

Air Force Gen. John Hyten has denied the allegations brought by former Army Col. Kathryn Spletstoser.

F-22 intercepts two Russian Tu-95 bombers.

US and Russia Scramble Jets in Another Exchange of Aerial Intercepts

NORAD said it also identified a Russian A-50 airborne early warning and control aircraft supporting the intercepted aircraft.

Marine Corps News

Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. David H. Berger delivers remarks.

Marine Commandant to Leaders: Quit The 'Soft Relief' of Fired Officers

Commandant Gen. David Berger reminded everyone that they needed to hold Marines accountable with a paper trail.

Marines Hop Islands, Set Up Long-Range Fires as Force Preps for Clash with China

Marines in Japan got a look at what future missions could look like during a recent island-hopping naval exercise.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jesus Hernandez-Aylala firefighting operations

Camp Pendleton Marines Return from a Month of Fighting California's Largest Fires

This is only the second time in 20 years Marines from Camp Pendleton have been tapped to fight wildland fires.

Coast Guard News