U.S. Military Forces

The coast guard is called upon to protect the United States in times of war as well as in peacetime. Although it was officially established in 1915, its roots stretch back to the Revenue Cutter Service of 1790. Since then, the smallest branch of the U.S. military has been keeping American ports and coasts safe. The coast guard's official motto-Semper Paratus-means "always prepared." Coastguardsmen in ports and waterways across the nation are ever vigilant for danger. Informative text and striking images take readers on a journey from the coast guard's earliest days to the hi-tech military force that protects our shores today.

In times of war, the Navy is in charge of the U.S. military's sea operations. It supports U.S. ground forces by bombarding areas held by the enemy from offshore. Discover more in Navy, one of the titles in the U.S. Military Forces series.

The Marine Corps leads U.S. military attacks on enemy forces along seacoasts. It does this by using boats, tanks, planes, helicopters, artillery, and other weapons. Discover more in Marine Corps, one of the titles in the U.S. Military Forces series.

Delta Force is a top-secret special operations division of the United States Army. It is officially known as 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta. Discover more in Delta Force, one of the titles in the U.S. Military Forces series.

The Army is the oldest and largest branch of the U.S. military. On the battlefield, the Army is in charge of all ground activities. Discover more in Army, one of the titles in the U.S. Military Forces series.

The Air Force is the aviation and air warfare force of the United States military. This means it is made up of forces that operate planes and weapons that attack the enemy from the sky. Discover more in Air Force, one of the titles in the U.S. Military Forces series.

The Coast Guard does its main work during peacetime. It enforces all federal laws that relate to maritime activities and works with other federal agencies to protect the United States from terrorism. Discover more in Coast Guard, one of the titles in the U.S. Military Forces series.

Initially part of the army, the U.S. Air Force was founded in 1907 as the U.S. Army Signal Corps. The first aircraft included weather balloons and dirigibles, but the air force has come a long way since those early years. Today, the U.S. Air Force uses the latest in aviation technology-from the F-22 Raptor to the CV-22 Osprey. From the air, to cyberspace, to outer space, the air force is always ready to keep U.S. citizens safe at home and abroad. Stunning photographs of the modern air force in action, combined with images of historic airmen and aircraft, will amaze and entrance readers.

In 1898, the U.S. Navy became well known as a superpower after defeating the Spanish Armada during the Spanish-American War. During World War II, US battleships in the South Pacific were an awe-inspiring sight. Today, the U.S. Navy continues to display its nautical strength all over the world. They've even helped to capture modern-day pirates off the coasts of Africa and the Middle East. Readers will be amazed by the historic naval images, as well as modern photographs of the massive navy ships that patrol Earth's oceans and keep U.S. citizens safe.

The U.S. Army is our oldest military force, and this exciting volume explores its rich history. Established in 1775 and led by General George Washington, the Continental army was formed to fight the British. Throughout U.S. history, many other notable men served in the army, including Presidents Andrew Jackson, Ulysses S. Grant, and Dwight D. Eisenhower. More than 230 years later, the U.S. Army is considered one of the most powerful forces in the world. In addition to protecting U.S. citizens during times of war across the globe, the U.S. Army also comes to the aid of the victims of disasters. The informative text is paired with both modern photographs and historic images.

From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli, the U.S. Marine Corps is always ready to protect U.S. citizens. Established during the American Revolution as a naval infantry, the Marine Corps has always been closely associated with the U.S. Navy. Marines played a huge role in capturing South Pacific islands during World War II. Today, the Marine Corps is a major force in the war on terror. In this book, colorful photographs and historic images are paired with informative text to teach readers about the U.S. Marine Corps, from its early days fighting pirates to the latest in hi-tech military weaponry.