Flight Lieutenant Tim Hunt with a picture of HMS Trafalgar. Photo by 92WG Photographic

Airborne Electronics Officer Flight Lieutenant Tim Hunt, of No. 92 Wing at RAAF Base Edinburgh, recounts his nine days on board HMS Trafalgar during Fincastle 2002, the recent international anti-submarine competition between teams from Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

What's an Air Force officer doing on a Royal Navy sub?

This was one of many questions asked of me during the nine days of my "confinement" on HMS Trafalgar, a 5500 tonne nuclear-powered attack submarine with a crew of 120.

Friends and family thought I was crazy and others thought I was just desperate to get an overseas trip. I saw it as a lifetime opportunity to see Anti-Submarine Warfare in action, the hardest role of Maritime Patrol Group.

I joined HMS Trafalgar at HMS Drake near Plymouth in southwest England. My first impressions of the submarine were at least it was bigger than the Australian Collins Class. But having been commissioned in 1983, it also looked a lot older.

On board I was warmly greeted and shown to my bunk "space" of about 2m by 1m and a locker about the size of a desktop computer. Lucky for me I didn't have much to store. Before embarkation I asked how much gear I should take. "How much can you wear at once?" came the reply.

With my toothbrush and belongings stowed and the crew hurriedly preparing for sea, I took the opportunity to familiarise myself with the boat. Most important was the location of the "heads" and the escape hatch closest to my bed. The wardroom was also close by and stocked with videos but no alcohol. Nobody had mentioned a "dry" ship before departure from home. Surely this counts as hard-laying allowance.

Life for a submariner on deployment is dictated by meal times. To my amazement the meals were very good, plentiful and produced from a galley not much bigger than an average household kitchen.

Time off for a submariner is not just for sleeping. Emergency drills were constantly run, cleaning duties were performed and other tasks were carried out to maintain a serviceable ship. This ensured the crew lived by the motto "never give up a chance to sleep".

During the four days of Fincastle I spent most of my time in the control room. This was to ensure the submarine operated similarly for each country competing and that none had the advantage over another.

Being on the other side of Anti- Submarine Warfare was a real eye- opener. The stress and tension were enormous, never really knowing if the aircraft had detected the submarine by radar, visual or other sensors. The submarine would constantly change depth, course and speed to elude patrolling aircraft.

Personnel on board were visibly disappointed when successfully detected, tracked and attacked by the "enemy". Of the six serials conducted, only two were successful in completing all three requirements. Overall, the crew were extremely satisfied with their performance.

The crew's teamwork was very similar to working on an Orion. Every member from Seaman to Captain had a specific role and was expected to do this to the best of their ability.

A mistake from one person can mean the end of the serial with an attack or, in wartime, the destruction of the submarine.

After the competition we sailed back to Plymouth.

Along the way I was able to spend some time in the conning tower - a little bit of fresh air can really lift your spirits.

To answer some of the most frequently asked questions. Yes, we could shower every day. No, most people did not. Yes, the submarine had a bit of an odour about it. Yes, you could smoke in designated areas. No, there was little privacy. Yes, it was great fun and the submariners had a great sense of humour. And finally, no, I would not volunteer again.