“We didn’t start looking until Monday morning, and found that this may have been an internal management count (problem),” the official said. “By the end of the afternoon they found out they were in Springfield or Herndon or wherever they’re stored before they go overseas.”

Must have been serious if they started looking first thing Monday morning. Then again, this "senior official" doesn't inspire confidence with his "maybe they're here, maybe they're there, whatever," knowledge of his organization's critical assets.