true today as the navy says remains found in iraq have been positively identified as capital mike scott spyker. >> it is essential they know they are not going to be left behind. >> reporter: but the two-decade search has not gone without critics from family, friends and lawmakers. spyker was shot down january 17, 1991. his wreckage was found but with no body the navy changed his ki in action anthd en switched it to missing and captured. some believed his initials were carved into an iraqi prison. >> i wonder to myself is it some kind of cruel prank, cruel joke. >> i would like to say hello to my wife joanne and my wife and daughter. >> reporter: the 33-year-old pilot was hoped to be found alive. looking back admiral brooks says losing one of their own on his watch was the hardest part of his job. >> i strongly empathize with the commanders who would have had to have told the spyker family of what had happened. it is a very, very difficult thing to do. >> reporter: the navy learned from witnesses that a desert tribe had buried spyker's remains which is part of their culture. bones and skeleton