US Air Force F-22 Raptor Fires Flares Near Golden Gate Bridge During Fleet Week

A US Air Force F-22 Raptor shot flares into the sky over San Francisco Bay during the city’s Fleet Week Air Show.

The video shows the stealth fighter climbing straight up and releasing fan-shaped bursts of flares. In other shots it loops and leaves corkscrew trails of white smoke. At one point it flips at the top of a climb and sends flares out in several directions.

Several passes take the jet in front of the Golden Gate Bridge, with Alcatraz Island and the Marin Headlands behind it. Dozens of sailboats and spectator boats fill the water below.

During some of the tight pull-ups, white condensation clouds form over the wings. In one pass the jet briefly opens its weapons bay doors.

The F-22 also flies in close formation with a red, white and silver propeller plane from the heritage flight. The two fly side by side past the bridge, then break apart in opposite directions.

The jet was flown by Capt. Nick “Laz” Le Tourneau, pilot and commander of the F-22 Raptor Aerial Demonstration Team. He performed at the San Francisco Fleet Week Air Show on October 10 and 11, 2026.

San Francisco Fleet Week has been held since 1981 and is California’s largest annual civic event. It honors the US Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.

The footage was filmed by US Air Force Staff Sgt. Mary Bowers of the 1st Fighter Wing.