On 16 June 2006 Specialist David J. Babineau (aged 25), Private First Class Kristian Menchaca (aged 23) and Private First Class Thomas L. Tucker (aged 25) were ordered to operate an observation post (OP) guarding the mobile bridge, for 24 to 36 hours, with just one Humvee, while other members of their platoon were about 0.75 miles away.