Yes Delgard, I agree that this is much more a commander view of all the game, not a SUB technician job to handle the TMA desk precisely or so.
As for planes, I remember vaguely that in Red Storm Rising I was making some crazy surfacings which would get some of my crew with equiped SA missiles shooting helicopters. I wonder if this reflects reality
Another difference: No 'Sea Lance' missiles in the weapon stock.
My first campaign was a disaster, I hit the wrong key command for quick surfacing instead of emergency diving while in a battle against ships...The result is not difficult to guess...