They were a perfect fit for the inside of the waveguide, on a high power radar system, that had gotten flooded with coolant water.
When one end was tied with a string, they could be pulled through the waveguide sections, drying them out quickly.
This enabled us to return a critical Sea Launched Ballistic Missile (SLBM) Detection and Warning system back to operation.
Of course, the young airman took some teasing about coming to the checkout with every box of product in the (small) commissary in his cart.
One of our crew's wife was working the checkout that day and he had called her with a heads up, so she held her teasing to a minimum.
After they were dried out, I trust you returned them to the Commissary.