WWI Fighter Ace Eddie Rickenbacker went on to found Eastern Airlines. In the early days of passenger aviation, he was one of the few survivors of a crash during takeoff. electricians were stringing a power line at the airfield and strung it across the runway. The plane hit it.
I have witnessed Air force Fighter pilots that ignored the NOTAM that was posted for us to work on the runway. We had several large pieces of equipment on site and full temporary markings. Four F15’s taxied onto the runway and throttled up and proceeded to roll our sandbag markings of the runway and then took off. On the return landing these four pilot decided to fly as low over the closed portion of the runway trying to either have their way or intimidate us. It was not pretty for them when they landed and had to report immediately to their commanding officers office. It was very reminiscent of the scene from TOP Gun.
This was on a 10,000 foot runway and we were working on the north 2,000 foot end. They didn’t like it when I questioned why the Navy pilots only operated on a 8,000 foot runway and had no problem adjusting to it being shortened.
My takeaway was that the AF boys get spoiled on their nice long runways.