The CH-118 Iroquois was purchased after the success of the US UH-1 Huey in Vietnam. The CF purchased the "single" (engine) Huey originally for the tactical transport role but after the purchase of the Twin Huey aircraft the "single" Huey's were passed onto base rescue flight duties. (The use of the term "single" Huey was derived to differentiate this type from the later Twin Huey (twin engine) version)

These duties involved primarily Search and Rescue (SAR), aeromedical support, casualty evacuation and general utility duties. The aircraft were consequently fitted with a rescue hoist, medievac equipment and were flown in high visibility all-white or all-yellow rescue colour schemes. Only ten aircraft were purchased and following the write-off of one helicopter in a crash, the remaining nine aircraft served faithfully in these roles until their retirement in 1995.

The Iroquois served primarily in base rescue flights at Chatham, Moose Jaw, Bagotville and Cold Lake.