The airstrip was brought into operation by the IAF by raising Staging Post in the year 1956 , with its role as refuelling station for all aircraft flying across the Bay of Bengal . The Helicopter Flight was later inducted on 1 April 1985 . The Base was upgraded to Forward Base Support Units ( FBSU ) on 23 August 1986 and subsequently as a Wing on 15 September 1993 . The air base was devastated by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami , when 116 IAF officers and men , and wives and children , died . Little remained of the air base , which was established as India 's southernmost defence post . IAF personnel worked night and day : the runway was repaired , navigational aids and the basic infrastructure were put back in place . On 14 April , just three-and-a-half months later , the Car Nicobar Air Base resumed operations
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami
Car Nicobar Air Force Base