On Thursday, 14 April 2011, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) carried out a combined live firing exercise.

The exercise was conducted by the UNIFIL Force Commander Reserve (FCR) and LAF artillery and infantry units.

The exercise, named "Neptune Thunder" was held 1 kilometre south of UNIFIL Headquarters in Naqoura in southern Lebanon.

This combined exercise is directed at improving the skills and expertise of the battle groups, to maintain their efficiency and mutual knowledge. During the exercise, the battle group fired dozens of artillery shells and machine gun rounds at targets located off the coastline.

Limiting any potential disturbance to the local population is a priority in planning the exercise. To this end, the targets were located at sea.

The safety at sea is provided by Lebanese ships supported by UNIFIL Maritime Task Force.