Rear Adm. Michael D. Malone, a veteran attack pilot who is commander of the Naval Air Forces Atlantic, has been nominated for promotion to vice admiral and command of the Pacific air units.

Under a new Navy policy, the Pacific air commander is the senior advocate for the operational requirements and funding needs of the Navy air units.

Vice Adm. John B. Nathman, Pacific air commander, has been nominated for assignment as deputy chief of naval operations for warfare requirements and programs on the Navy's staff at the Pentagon.

Nathman would replace Vice Adm. Dennis McGinn, a former 3rd Fleet commander who has held the requirements post for two years. No new assignment for McGinn was announced.

Rear Adm. James M. Zortman, commander of Carrier Group Seven in San Diego, has been selected to replace Malone in the Atlantic air forces command. Zortman has been selected for promotion to two-star rank, which he would assume in his new post.

Rear Adm. Mathew G. Moffit, head of the aviation plans and requirements branch on the Navy staff, has been selected to relieve Zortman as commander of Carrier Group Seven. Moffit flew combat missions in the Persian Gulf War. Most of his fleet experience is with Atlantic units.

Malone is a Brooklyn, N.Y., native and a 1970 graduate of the Naval Academy. He did two combat tours in Vietnam and was executive officer of the submarine Abraham Lincoln during the Gulf War. He later commanded the fleet oiler Kansas City and the carrier Enterprise.