F-22 RAPTOR CLEARED FOR HUNTINGTON BEACH

Huntington Beach, brace yourselves.

The U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team is officially joining Pacific Airshow® Huntington Beach, October 2–4, 2026.

And this is one arrival you’ll feel before you fully process what you’re seeing.

Built for air dominance, the F-22 Raptor combines stealth, speed, extreme maneuverability and some of the most advanced technology ever put into a fighter aircraft. It can cruise at supersonic speeds without using afterburner, change direction with serious authority and pull maneuvers that don’t look remotely reasonable for an aircraft its size.

Basically, subtle isn’t on the flight plan.

The F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team exists to showcase the extraordinary capabilities of America’s premier fifth-generation fighter - and the Airmen who keep it mission-ready. Based at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia, the team has performed hundreds of demonstrations around the world since its debut in 2007.

When the Raptor takes over Show Center, expect raw power, precision flying and a display that makes the entire coastline stop what it’s doing.

For 2026, the demonstration is led by Captain Nicholas “Laz” Le Tourneau, an experienced F-22 pilot with more than 750 hours in the Raptor. He’ll be putting the aircraft through its paces above Huntington Beach.

And yes, you’re going to want to see this one from inside the gates to listen on as the team Narrator guides us through the entire performance!

The F-22 joins a stacked lineup featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds, U.S. military demonstrations, the Red Bull Air Force, NASA, world-class civilian performers and more major announcements still to come.

The Raptor is coming.

You should be there.

Photo credit: Sean Mitchell @ronritchell