Under British colonial rule, Kenya's Northern Frontier District (NFD) had remained relatively calm, due, not to any great benevolence on the part of the controlling powers, but the populations perceived lack of threat to its existence. This situation changed rapidly upon Kenya gaining independence. The NFD covers an area greater than that of England, and is populated almost entirely by people of Somali decent; factions of which wanted no part of an independent Kenya. Somalia disputed the validity of Kenya's border. Armed dissidents crossed into Kenya with, it was said, the blessing of Mogadishu. November 1963 and the area erupted. Terrorist attacks persistently took place. Police posts and army camps were targeted, convoys ambushed, a District Officer assassinated. The newly formed Kenya Army, (formerly the Kenya Rifles) was sent in force to the area. Over such vast distances communications were essential; as a result three aircraft were unofficially dispatched in support. Unofficially, because a newly emergent African nation could hardly be seen requiring assistance from the old colonial power. This situation had been played out many times at exercises, so someone had been correct with his crystal gazing. One aircraft was flown to each of the three regional administrative centres, Wajir, Garissa and Mandera. Crews lived under canvas within the fortified army camps, operating from dirt strips under the guns of the Kenya Army.

The squadron's primary task was casualty evacuation (Casevac), routinely flying the dead and wounded back to Nairobi. Four weeks up country, two weeks back at base, a break desperately needed after the unchanging diet of camel steaks, boiled kanga, (Guinea fowl) and curried goat.  During this period the ground crew adopted a somewhat relaxed attitude to uniform discipline, comfort in the dry and arid region the main consideration. Doubtless their appearance would have provoked condemnation from the powers at Nairobi HQ, but the powers rarely travelled further north than the Nairobi Golf Club.