Gp Capt Henery Osborne Robey has been posted as the Station Commander, Air Force Station, Suryalanka with effect from 19 Sep 88.

On the night of 09/10 May 90, a severe cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 200kmph hit Air Force Station Suryalanka causing total disruption to communications, power, water supply and damage to Air Force property. In the absence of any civil or Air Force Met establishment at Suryalanka, Gp Capt Robey kept a close watch on the movement of cyclonic storm from TV and Radio transmissions preceding the actual date of occurrence. He geared up the Station to meet the challenge and took advance actions to ensure minimum damage to Air Force property and human life. His actions paid handsome dividends in that there was no loss of life or injury and damage to the property was negligible which could not have been avoided considering the fury of the cyclonic storm. Despite the Station being totally water logged, he reactivated the essential services in the shortest possible time. With his excellent rapport with the P&T and APSEB authorities, he was able to speedily restore electricity and essential telecommunication facilities at the Station.

For his leadership in skillfully managing this disastrous situation and for his dedication of a very high order, the President is pleased to award Vishisht Seva Medal to Gp Capt HO Robey.

Group Captain V Channa was commissioned on 04 Jun 67 as a Fighter Pilot. He has held the appointments of Flight Commander in a fighter squadron, Chief Operations Officer of a Flying Wing and Command Flight Safety and Inspection Officer in Central Air Command. He was appointed Station Commander of Air Force Station, Suryalanka in Jul 94.

In Apr 95, the Air Defence elements of the Indian Army arrived at the Station for missile and Gun firing. The total manpower of the Army was 2000 men and 200 officers. Initially, all Army personnel had camped in tents just outside the AF station. However, due to torrential rains and heavy flooding the Army personnel had to be evacuated and provided emergency shelter inside the AF Station. This was the first time that such as huge strength of Army personnel stepped into any AF Station of the IAF. Under the able leadership of Gp Capt Channa the Station was geared up to meet the requirements of logistics technical and administrative services for an extended period of over one and half months. With his meticulous planning and untiring efforts, the task of safe firing of missiles and guns by all Army elements was achieved under extremely difficult and adverse conditions. Operational and administrative support provided to the Army by the IAF on war footing under heavy odds was very well appreciated.

In addition to conduct of safe firing, he also undertook the task of uplifting the station environment and improving the living conditions. Although the station is remotely located with very scarce resources, yet with his dedicated work it has become a prime station of Southern Air Command.

For distinguished services of a high order, the President is pleased to award 'Vishisht Seva Medal' to Gp Capt V Channa.