OPSTAR to continue providing search and rescue services to Defence

OPSTAR has signed a $12 Million contract with the Department of Defence to continue providing crucial search and rescue services at HMAS Albatross, ensuring ADF personnel operating in the Nowra region and elsewhere in Australia have access to world-leading search and rescue services.

Managing Director John Giffard said the contract extended an arrangement that had been going for the past five years, and which last year saw his company respond to 60 incidents.

“The contract makes the most of OPSTAR’s specialist capabilities to locate, access and extricate people in difficult circumstances. We have to be ready to respond to military aviation incidents at one minutes notice, but we also provide additional support which adds depth to our services and value for money to the Commonwealth.”

“This contract also supports residual capabilities, which can be used by other state or federal departments on an as needed basis.”

OPSTAR has developed the search and rescue capability for a wide variety of potential incidents that may occur at HMAS Albatross and associated training areas.

Under this contract OPSTAR will provide aviation emergency response and land-based rescue services at HMAS Albatross until mid-2023, with the option of two one-year extensions.