As a teenager, Wycroft had worked in his father's garage in Muncie, Indiana, and was familiar with American cars. By 1957, Wycroft had been based in the desert for five years. One day that year, when the base went on 24-hour lockdown due to nearby weapons testing, Sergeant Wycroft, who hated the desert, was left in charge of four men, including Corporal Higgins and Private Mitchell, at the front gate to keep out unauthorized personnel.