Three‐dimensional (3‐D) particle simulations are used to determine the characteristic field‐aligned currents produced by an interchange‐driven, localized plasma jet impinging on the near‐Earth plasma sheet. The diversion of the plasma flow produces a region 2 sense current which enhances the cross‐tail current, while the primary flow provides a current to the ionosphere whose signature is consistent with the auroral streamers. The high beta interchange mode and localized flows resulting from a tailward gradient in the equatorial magnetic field provide a physical realization of the plasma bubble model of plasma sheet convection.