I know there was a jumpseater, I know his name unfortunately. As for talking during takeoff roll, this is highly unlikely, because in my 10,000 hours of flying time, even the rule bending talkers don't talk during a takeoff roll.
We do have to ask though, how you could mistake a runway with MIRL out of service for a runway with runway lights especially on a predawn flight.
I think you meant to post to don-o
I don't know anything about cockpit rules or silence during the takeoff roll. I flew as often as I could in the cocpit while I was in the navy. I don't remember any talking during takeoff roll except for calling out the "V" stuff. I had not really thought about it before now.
Taking off without runway lights is puzzling. I don't know the reason for that, without at least asking the tower about it.