Opstar

11/05/2026

A nice, easy and relaxing training day they said…..we fell for it again 😂

19/12/2025

We tried desperately to photograph the whole operational vehicle fleet…Mother Nature has been working against us and some of our teammates remain in the field; so we’ve done the best we can! From the whole OPSTAR team to all of our followers, wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

09/09/2025

Enjoyed a productive day with ambulance last week. Collective training is where we see the most benefit to our teams. Individual skills are important but never underestimate the benefits of practicing communications, control, co-ordination and scene safety. Added benefits in aligning our triage procedures and our less experienced SARTechs getting on the tools!

06/06/2025

While we primarily support Defence operations in our work, we have the privilege to support and assist the wider emergency services community in their operations. It keeps us ready, keeps us current and always improving. Thanks for the recognition Team-Shoalhaven:)

South Coast Police District had the pleasure of providing the Operations Manager of OPSTAR - search and rescue contractors for HMAS Albatross - a plaque in appreciation of their continued efforts in assisting local Emergency Services. John GIFFARD is pictured with Supt. Darren BRAND - Commander of South Coast Police District. Thanks, John, for you and your team's continued support to the Shoalhaven Local Emergency Management Team.

28/05/2025

Interagency exercises are great learning environments for C2; especially when everyone’s talking through BA/Respirators! Thanks to West Nowra RFS, Ambo’s and Fire Rescue for participating in Albatross’ major off base (remote) emergency preparedness exercise today. For those with keen eyes, while it was actually near base we were exercising as if it was a considerable distance down the road; just needed some imagination!

30/04/2025

An enjoyable morning in Nowra for the Pop-Up
!

29/04/2025

Great opportunity to check out some of the kit first responders from all services use on the job; we’ll be there so come say g’day.

24/03/2025

All we can do is promise our followers that we didn’t write or pay for the article below from carexplore.com.au! We appreciate the review from the author and are guessing he had visited the recent Navy Open day….for the record we do not confirm nor deny any secrecy in what we do😊

https://www.carexplore.com.au/opstar-the-secret-nsw-response-unit-with-vehicles-built-for-australias-worst-emergencies/

OPSTAR is NSW’s elite emergency fleet, deploying high-tech vehicles to protect 8 million people in Australia’s worst crises. Equipped with thermal imaging, encrypted comms, and rapid-response tech, these vehicles operate where standard emergency services can’t.

02/03/2025

OPSTAR 6 seems to draw the crowd! These land SAR platforms can detect and decode distress beacons and other aviation abnormal flight parameters detection, locate persons day and night, have all hazards firefighting, medical and rescue equipment and satellite communication systems, radios and extended range mobile phone coverage. While based in Nowra NSW, the home base for OPSTAR, we deploy to remote operations anywhere in Australia to support ADF operations with a great bunch of SAR technicians, Paramedics and Ops staff.

01/03/2025

Thanks to Clinton J Photography for the shout out. Busy day for the Albatross (Navy Week) Open day. We love our job supporting the Fleet Air Arm in many different aviation support functions as we do for the wider ADF and other government agencies; but SAR gets most of the public attention!

21/02/2025

Continuation Training; stay current, stay ready, stay safe.