THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Wednesday, February 8, 1995            TAG: 9502080466
SECTION: FRONT                    PAGE: A5   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT 
DATELINE: NORFOLK                            LENGTH: Short :   31 lines

22,000 MILITARY MEMBERS WILL JOIN NATO EXERCISES

More than 22,000 military personnel and 12 Navy ships will lead a NATO exercise in the North Atlantic and in Norway, said Gen. John J. Sheehan, NATO's Supreme Allied Command Atlantic, headquartered here.

Nicknamed exercise ``Strong Resolve 95,'' the maneuvers will be held between Feb. 20 and March 10 to demonstrate rapid deployment and use of multinational maritime, air and land forces as a military response to an evolving crisis.

The first part of the exercise will test SACLANT's concept of a sea-based deployable, combined and joint headquarters. Part two will provide training in adverse terrain and weather conditions and include both amphibious and airborne landings.

Norfolk-based Navy ships participating are the 2nd Fleet command ship Mount Whitney, guided-missile cruiser Bainbridge, guided-missile frigate Nicholas, amphibious assault ship Wasp, dock landing ship Whidbey Island, amphibious transport dock Shreveport, and fast attack submarine Phoenix.

Participating from other areas are the frigates Antrim, from Pascagoula, Miss., and McInerney, from Mayport, Fla.; destroyer Deyo, from Charleston, S.C.; and fast attack submarine Albuquerque, from Groton, Conn. by CNB