NZDF: Brothers in Arms

Join SSGT Davey Forbes and SGT Storm Harrison on global deployments as they set the scene for Cyclone Gabrielle.

⚠️ This episode refers to NZDF personnel who have died in the line of duty. Listener discretion advised.

Davey and Storm were among the first to arrive in Esk Valley before dawn on February 14th. Before sharing their story, they offer some fascinating insights into our defence force. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to hear first-hand accounts of deployments all over the world as they set the scene for their role as first responders during Cyclone Gabrielle.

In this episode of Under The Weather, Kristin introduces Staff Sergeant Davey Forbes and Sergeant Storm Harrison. Both Hawke’s Bay born and bred, and both now serving as army reservists. Before their time in the Army Reserves (formerly known as The Territorials), they also served in the regular force or ‘RF’. They share their personal and professional journeys, highlighting deployments and other experiences with the New Zealand Defence Force. Davey recounts his varied career, from starting as a mechanic to his work as a physical training instructor and passion for high-performance sports. His memories include a deployment to East Timor, playing rugby in Northern Ireland (a military ‘gap-year’), and his efforts in the rehabilitation and recruitment spaces. Storm shares his path from Napier Boys' High School to basic training to seasoned soldier. He vividly recalls his tours of duty in East Timor, Sinai, and Antarctica, reflecting on the camaraderie and challenges faced. Both Davey and Storm provide a poignant account of their careers, underlined by personal sacrifice, dedication, and service. They drill down into what it means to be part of the New Zealand Defence Force. These narratives set the stage for their response to Cyclone Gabrielle.

If you enjoyed listening to NZDF: BROTHERS IN ARMS, please take a moment to rate and review the episode. This ensures more people will discover these stories from Cyclone Gabrielle.

UNDER THE WEATHER has been featured on RNZ and Stuff. Links below to find out more.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360795376/devastation-healing-cyclone-gabrielles-untold-stories

https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2019002009/tales-of-horror-and-heroism-in-cyclone-gabrielle-podcast

Te Reo Translations

• Haka collective name given to ceremonial dances used for various occasions - sometimes in welcome, sometimes in challenge
• Ka Mate a haka performed to signify survival and triumph
• Kia Ora informal greeting or hello
• Pakeha New Zealander of European descent
• Tamariki children
• Tautoko to acknowledge and support
• Urupa  cemetery
• Wairua  spirit or soul
• Whānau family

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Under The Weather

01:35 Meet Staff Sergeant Davey Forbes

02:05 Meet Sergeant Storm Harrison

02:30 1998 -Davey and Storm meet each other

04:30 Davey's Career Journey

06:50 East Timor

09:00 Rugby and high-performance sport

10:20 Rehabilitation

11:45 Reserves and Recruiting

13:15 Storm's Career Journey

14:10 East Timor

20:30 Gallipoli on ANZAC Day

24:40 Sinai/The Iraq War

27:20 Antarctica

28:25 Back in East Timor

29:30 A few good men. (⚠️ NZDF personnel who have been lost in the line of duty)

31:25 Brief conclusion

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All transcripts for UNDER THE WEATHER are AI generated