Inspectors General Initiate Coordinated Oversight for Operation Epic Fury

The Inspectors General for the Department of War (DoW), Department of State (State), and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), have commenced legally mandated, whole-of-government oversight coordination for Operation Epic Fury (OEF). OEF is the designated mission to dismantle the Iranian regime's security apparatus and eliminate imminent threats to the United States and its allies.

This joint effort is mandated by Section 419 of the Inspector General Act, which requires the appointment of a Lead Inspector General (Lead IG) upon the commencement or designation of a military operation that exceeds 60 days as an overseas contingency operation, or receipt of a notification thereof. Pursuant to this statutory requirement, the Honorable Cheryl L. Mason, Chair of the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE), designated DoW Inspector General Platte B. Moring III to serve as the Lead IG for OEF on May 12.

In this capacity, Lead IG Moring will coordinate U.S. Government oversight activities associated with the operation. His initial actions under this mandate included transmitting formal notifications to DoW leadership and Congress, and appointing Arne Baker, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the State Department Inspector General, to serve as the Associate Lead IG for OEF.

"This Lead Inspector General designation not only follows the framework required in the IG Act, it also reflects the extensive experience of the DoW OIG with comprehensive oversight of overseas contingency operations," said IG Moring. "We are collaborating closely with our colleagues to promote accountability and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars."

"As Associate Lead Inspector General, I am committed to ensuring that the Department of State's activities during Operation Epic Fury are subject to rigorous, independent oversight," said Arne B. Baker, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of State. "Working alongside our colleagues across the oversight community, we will help safeguard the integrity of U.S. diplomatic, security, and foreign assistance efforts while promoting transparency and accountability to the American public. This coordinated approach strengthens our collective ability to provide timely, objective reporting to Congress and the Executive Branch."

"Our oversight professionals will ensure rigorous transparency and accountability over foreign assistance dollars connected to Operation Epic Fury," said Van Nguyen, Acting Inspector General for USAID OIG, a statutorily-independent law enforcement agency. "USAID IG will hold accountable all parties that defraud or divert taxpayer dollars, or evade U.S. sanctions against Iranian state actors."

Upon making this designation in early May 2026, CIGIE Chair Mason stated, "I appreciate IG Moring's commitment and willingness to lead this initiative. I am confident he will deliver independent, objective oversight of Operation Epic Fury."

As required, the DoW OIG will work across the federal oversight community to ensure effective oversight activities related to OEF, develop a joint strategic oversight plan, and submit a quarterly report to Congress on the operation. The first quarterly Lead IG report will be issued in the Fall. Please find information on overseas contingency operations at: https://www.dodig.mil/Components/OCO/.