The monograph is the first in Ukraine summarizing military-historical and military-theoretical work, which, based on a wide range of sources, reveals the history of creation, organizational structure, combat capabilities, tasks, features of manning and training, tactics and methods of action, equipment and armament of special forces of the Ground Forces, the Navy and the US Air Force. The operational combat use of the US Special Forces has been shown over the past 50 years. The participation of elite units in the wars in Iraq is highlighted separately.