Seals of the different branches of the U.S. Military
The U.S. Military, known collectively as the Armed Forces of the United States, are the combined military forces of the United States of America. It is made up of five armed service branches: Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Each branch of the military has a unique approach towards protecting America's interests and ensuring global peace. It is informally referred to as the "Military" within the fictional realms of the universe.
The Military attempted to contain the outbreak, but were ultimately overrun by the sheer numbers of the undead. As such, many scattered outposts, vehicles, and equipment remain behind as many of its members have either fallen victim to the hordes of walkers or have retreated elsewhere. In Fear the Walking Dead, the military is active in season one, but as of season two, the fate of the military is unknown.
Outbreak and Operation Cobalt
Early in the outbreak, once it became apparent that local law enforcement could no longer handle the outbreak, an excutive order was made to deploy the military. In many cities, they set up safe zones to quarantine survivors and protect them from the infected. They were authorized to use deadly force in order to maintain order. Many of those who did not make their way to the safe zones tried to make their way out of infected cities.
With the epidemic spreading and command and control beginning to falter, a decision was taken somewhere up the chain of command to abandon the safe zones and withdraw the military from the cities and back to the safety of their bases. Soldiers were instructed to withdraw from the safe zones in an orderly fashion during the night so as not to spook civilians. The operation also included an order for the "humane termination" of individuals in quarantined areas.
The second stage of the operation was large scale napalm bombing of major cities to wipe out walkers that had infested urban areas. Cities known to have been bombed include :
. Atlanta, Georgia
. Los Angeles, California
. San Diego, California
. Portland, Oregon
. Seattle, Washington
. Vancouver, British Columbia (presumably bombed By Canadian forces)
. Phoenix, Arizona
After the bombing of Los Angeles and as survivors were escaping via boat, the Coast Guard brodcast a message that they were unable to lend assistance to people in any form. Whether this was was due to loss of equipment, loss of personell to the infected or loss of personell to desertion is unknown.