What confirms that materials in storage locations align with stock record data?

The correct choice is a location audit, as it specifically focuses on verifying that the physical stock of materials in various storage locations matches the records maintained in the inventory system. During a location audit, personnel physically inspect and count the items in specific storage areas while cross-referencing this data with stock records. This process is crucial for identifying discrepancies, ensuring accuracy in inventory management, and maintaining accountability for military logistics operations.

While other methods like inventory reconciliation and cycle counts serve important roles in inventory management, they do not exclusively focus on the alignment of physical materials with stock records at specific locations. Inventory reconciliation generally involves comparing inventory records against source documents to confirm total quantities, while cycle counts are partial counts of inventory that take place on a rotating basis. Therefore, a location audit provides the most direct confirmation of alignment between stored materials and their corresponding stock records.