Navy searching for missing computers

By William Cole
Advertiser Military Writer

A Navy audit issued in July revealed that 595 computers were missing from Pacific Fleet ships and other at-sea units, but a spokesman yesterday said 408 have since been found in the hands of the Navy, and more are expected to turn up.

"The word I was given was many (could still be found)," said Pacific Fleet spokesman Jon Yoshishige.

A Naval Audit Service report issued July 23 raised security concerns over 595 laptop and desktop computers missing from Pacific Fleet "afloat" commands: warships, submarines and naval air squadrons.

According to the Reuters news service, the audit said there was "a serious risk that PCs containing sensitive and classified information have been lost or compromised, which presents a threat to national security and a potential embarrassment to the Department of the Navy."

Pacific Fleet, which is based at Pearl Harbor, subsequently initiated a complete inventory of more than 15,000 leased computers assigned to afloat commands, and 31,000 computers used by its shore commands.

As a result of the inventory, which is ongoing, the number of missing computers dropped from 595 to 187, the Navy said. In some cases, poor identification of computers was to blame. Some missing computers are expected to turn up with shore commands.

According to the Naval Audit Service report, as many as 22 of the machines had handled classified material, but it wasn't known if they still contained the data.

"We believe they are still in Navy custody and we think that once the review is completed those computers could be ashore," Yoshishige said.

Yoshishige said Pacific Fleet is complying with the audit's recommendations, one of which is to improve inventory control of its computers. The audit only covered afloat commands.

Reuters said Pacific Fleet attempted to prevent the release of the unclassified audit after a Freedom of Information request was made.

The Navy said Rear Adm. Jonathan Greenert, the fleet deputy commander, was concerned that publicity about the missing computers could result in some falling into the wrong hands.

Pacific Fleet is the Navy's largest command, and includes 200 ships, 2,000 aircraft and 250,000 sailors and Marines in a region stretching from the West Coast to the Arabian Gulf.

Reach William Cole at wcole@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-5459.