I spent 24 years in the military, over 9 of it on active duty. I served on a number of destroyers and frigates, all armed with missiles. I've seen missile shoots in the day, in the night. I've seen missiles go up, I've seen them hit their target, and I've seen what happens when they come down, too. And I'm here to tell you that there flat aren't that many recognizable pieces left when all is said and done. And I'm talking big missiles, Standards and Sea Sparrow. Take a small, portable missile and there is even less left in even smaller parts. And they don't all have a big 'M' on the debris, so you can tell them from the airplane parts. If you want to believe that your friend could recognize dime-sized pieces of missile in and among all the millions of pieces of airplane then go right ahead. Had your buddy spun the same tale to me I'd have given him the same response I'm giving you. I spent enough time around sailors not to be surprised at anything they say.
I also recall Kalstrom saying he thought it was a bomb and we'd know in a short time. I also recall Mr. Hall of the NTSB accidently falling overboard on one of the search ships. My tinfoil hat suggested that it was a warning to him to remain silent about the findings.
I have no idea what was in the water. I do remember that when explosive residue was found it was said to be from a dog training session on that plane. That was never confirmed.
I recall reporters at the site saying that there had been middle east 'chatter' surrounding the downing of the plane.
It wasn't long before all suggestion of a terror attack was a forbidden topic.