--- title: "Air Force veteran Sam Eckholm is focused on good military stories and stunning imagery" date: "2025-09-22" modified: "2025-09-22" authors: - name: "Shannon Corbeil" job_title: "Contributor, Air Force Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/scorbeil/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/military-news/air-force-sam-eckholm-how-he-got-followers/" categories: - "Air Force" - "Entertainment" - "History" tags: - "Air Force" - "Entertainment" --- # Air Force veteran Sam Eckholm is focused on good military stories and stunning imagery ![sam eckholm air force X]() *(Sam Eckholm via X)* With more than 300 million views, 1.3 million subscribers, and 10 million+ monthly viewers, Sam Eckholm is the producer and host behind [one of the most-watched aerospace and defense video series]() in the world. From flying with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels to surviving a week with Air Force Special Operations, his cinematic, story-driven content showcases the mission sets of the U.S. military like never before — and he’s turned that momentum into a thriving media brand and business. What’s pretty cool is that Eckholm, a former U.S. Air Force Public Affairs officer, has achieved this just in the past few years (he only separated from active duty in 2023), demonstrating just how quickly someone can create a career that breaks into mainstream opportunities. Social media isn’t just for “influencers” anymore—it’s a way for creators to hone their interests and voice and then turn them into marketable and profitable opportunities. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzV1Rv_iCno Eckholm will appear at the [2025 Military Influencer Conference]() in conversation with none other than We Are The Mighty’s own Editor-In-Chief, Air Force veteran Blake Stilwell, for a panel titled "Inside the Cockpit: Sam Eckholm and Blake Stilwell on Landing Millions of Views—and Revenue." In the exclusive fireside chat, they’ll share how to build a trusted, scalable personal brand from the ground up, how to understand and break through the algorithm, how to grow a high-impact YouTube channel, and how to translate views into partnerships and profits. This is an emerging trend across media and industries. [Erik Bartell]() is a combat veteran and accomplished social media creator who helped found Echelon, a military energy drink, and Bravo Sierra, a line of elite performance body care products. YouTuber Michelle Khare managed to rent a military aircraft and then hang off it at 150 miles per hour without a parachute—sending her to the Emmys. Even [SNL is now actively hiring TikTok]() creators. https://youtu.be/OKVuiPBSBCg Eckholm would say that it comes back to powerful storytelling—but I’ll leave that for him to share in conversation with Stilwell. Either way, they promise to leave you fired up and ready to go make something cool. Their chat takes place Tuesday, Sep. 23, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern. ## Author Shannon Corbeil has worked for We Are The Mighty as a digital video producer, writer, and host, as well as a staff writer covering military history, trivia, and valor. Shannon is a fierce veteran advocate, covering the achievements of members of the military community and volunteering in multiple veteran non-profit organizations, including Pin-Ups for Vets and Warriors for Peace Theatre. Her undergraduate degree is in Humanities and Philosophy and her Masters is in Strategic Intelligence. A screenwriter and actor recently seen on SEAL TEAM and THE ROOKIE, Shannon writes about exciting projects in the entertainment industry. She is an alum of the Writers Guild Foundation Veterans Writing Project, a Finalist in the Disney TV Writing Fellowship, an inaugural fellow for the STARZ/VME #TakeTheLead Program, and has performed at the Geffen Playhouse and Kennedy Center as a writer, dancer, singer, and actor. As a U.S. Air Force Intelligence Officer, Shannon supported the 25th Fighter Squadron at Osan Air Base, South Korea, and conducted Cyber Threat Analysis at the National Security Agency. Her work has been seen in Business Insider, Task & Purpose, Military.com, and various other publications. ### Author social links [Facebook]() [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()