Navy, putting in place a man who will have a pivotal role in deciding the future of the US Naval Air Station.

A well-placed Washington DC source said the new secretary is "probably the most influential person in terms of what happens to the Bermuda base.'' News of the nomination comes with word that the Navy is conducting its own investigation into the future of its Bermuda operations.

Its findings should form the basis of any decision taken by Mr. Dalton, who was yesterday described as a Navy man, a banker and a fund-raiser for Mr.

Clinton.

The Navy's study of Bermuda follows one conducted by the Pentagon's Inspector General this winter. His report recommended the complete withdrawal of air station operations and personnel by 1995 at the latest.

Yesterday, Navy sources were reported as saying the Inspector General's report would "have no impact on the Navy review which is ongoing''.

It is understood that review began in September, 1992 with a view to a possible "drawdown'' of the BAse.

Sources say a full range of options is currently being considered, including reducing the station to a "bare bones'' status that would still meet the requirements for a NATO "flexible employment base''.

One source indicated the Bermuda base could become something like the Navy's Midway Island, where all military personnel are unaccompanied by family members, and facilities are minimal.

The Navy began reviewing its Bermuda operations in 1990 when the Deputy Commander in Chief of the US Atlantic Fleet ordered the study of their future operational requirements.

Last January, a plan was presented to the Atlantic Fleet commander to return the Naval Annex and "associated sites'' to Bermuda. They were to be reduced to caretaker status on April 1, with the land later returned to Bermuda.

One explanation for the fact that the Navy has yet to follow the report's recommendation is possible recognition the Southampton Annex's 29 acres could be a valuable bargaining chip in bigger Air Station negotiations with Britain.

The Inspector General's report, for example, suggested Annex issue be coupled with Air Station negotiations because of its tremendous value.

He estimated the Annex land value between $225-$300 million and noted it was land "Bermudians want.'' Royal Gazette inquiries have found that no final decision on the US bases in Bermuda will be taken without a Navy Secretary.