EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Mission accomplished: Eight weeks, 311 young warriors, 30 programs and...countless books.

Operation Read, a military themed summer reading program at the base library, concluded July 30. This year's military theme highlighted the "Year of the Air Force Family" and allowed military children to explore their base.

Children read their way up the ranks, from "Airman basic" to "chief master sergeant" (or "private" to "sergeant major" if they chose the Army). To make rank, children read and completed reading related assignments.

Each completed section earned them a promotion as well as a library dollar to spend on their choice of summer reading prizes, ranging from pencils to books.

The self-paced reading program introduced youngsters to a variety of reading materials from poetry to magazines to non-fiction. As part of the program, readers explored the base by visiting fun places like the aero club, the youth center, outdoor recreation and the base pool to participate in activities ranging from an underwater reading adventure, ceramic classes and story times. They learned more about the military history and mission by visits to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, the military working dog kennel and the Air Force Armament Museum.

According to Marcia Treuter, the library's director, programs at the military facilities, especially the visit to the local OSI office, were the most popular events.

"We received the most amazing support from the Eglin EOD, the  dog kennels and the OSI office," Ms. Treuter said. "Everybody was eager to support our summer reading program."