DATE: Thursday, September 25, 1997          TAG: 9709250345

SECTION: FRONT                   PAGE: A12  EDITION: FINAL 

DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   24 lines

OTHER APPOINTMENTS WILL FOLLOW AS NAVY FILLS VACANCIES

Adm. Harold W. Gehman's Tuesday night Senate confirmation to his new post here may prompt a ripple effect in the Navy's Norfolk-area commands.

Gehman, the new commander of U.S. Atlantic Command and NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic, previously served as vice chief of naval operations.

It is believed the VCNO post will now go to Vice Adm. Donald L. Pilling, now deputy chief of naval operations for resources, welfare requirements and assessments in the Pentagon. That post controls most of the Navy's money and programs.

Vice Adm. Vern Clark, currently in Norfolk as commander of the 2nd Fleet, reportedly will be offered Pilling's Pentagon job.

Taking Clark's 2nd Fleet job aboard the command ship Mount Whitney will be Vice Adm. William J. Fallon of Norfolk, now deputy commander and chief of staff of the U.S. Atlantic Command.

The nominations, which are expected soon by President Clinton, will have to be approved by the Senate.

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