European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - April 4, 1962, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Nato is 13 years old today continued from Page 11 them. And each member is obligated to assist the victim of the attack. Nato s governing body is the North Atlantic Council composed of the foreign ministers of the member nations which is responsible for managing the organization. The various nato military commands operate within the framework set up bythe Council. Bat As nato was getting into gear a number of decisions had to be made. First an evaluation of soviet military strength had to be made and then a common West Ern defense strategy had to be devised. On top of that came the need for a coordinated military production program for the government of the member nations to put into motion. But no amount of defense could obviously be Worth having unless it had plenty of strength behind it hardware and troops who know How to use it defense plans pointed to a need for More than the 14 divisions available in 1950which opposed some 300 soviet divisions. But Hen earn More obstacles. Rearming was costly and Many of the member nations were still in the process of recovery after world War in Nat leaders found it would be difficult to carry out the plans without endangering economic stability in Many areas. The United states worked out a military and financial assistance program with its european partners but this could provide no More than a partial solution. In 196 2 nato adopted defense plan aimed at coordinating defense efforts to make them As efficient and flexible a possible and to keep costs to a minimum while distributing the burdens equitably. In the decade that followed the organization was modified Many times to take into consideration changing military conditions. The strategic area protected by nato has been divided among three com mands and a regional planning  forces of the member nations Are set up under three categories those assigned in peacetime to nato commands those earmarked for nato commands an those remaining under National control. Nato commanders Are responsible for developing defense plans for their respective areas and Tor determining what Force they Meed. Nato area from the northernmost tip of Norway South to North Africa and from the Atlantic to the Eastern Bor Der of Turkey is under the supreme Allied commander in Europe Gen Lauris Norstad headquartered at Paris. Four major commands Are directly responsible to Norstad the Northern Europe come which includes Allied naval forces in Northern Europe Allied land forces in Norway Allied land forces in Denmark and Allied air forces in Northern Europe. Central Europe come which includes Allied land forces in Central Europe Al lied air forces in Central Europe and Allied naval forces in Central  Southern Europe come which includes naval striking and support forces in Southern Europe Allied land forces in Southern Europe and Allied land forces in Southeastern Europe and Allied air forces in Southern Europe. The Mediterranean come which includes commands for the Gibraltar Mediterranean Western Mediterranean Cen trial Mediterranean Southeastern Mediterranean Eastern Mediterranean and North Eastern Mediterranean areas. An officer conducts to briefing at Offutt fab neb., Sac Headquarters. A ,. A pc Mathis hellenic greek air Force also serves in the nato team. Channel come at Secretary of state Deairl Thi stars and torts