Lt Colonel Nishimuta completed undergraduate pilot training at Vance AFB, Oklahoma, in October 1974, and was assigned to the 474th Tactical Fighter Wing, Nellis AFB, Nevada, where he served as a Pilot Weapons Systems Officer and Aircraft Commander in the F-111A. He received his initial training in the F-111A in the 442nd Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, and assisted in the beddown operation of the 428th Tactical Fighter Squadron following its redeployment from Korat AB, Thailand. In May 1977, Lt Colonel Nishimuta was assigned to the 55th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Royal Air Force Upper Heyford, England, as F-111E Aircraft Commander. During this time he upgraded to flight lead and served as squadron Flying Safety Officer and Functional Check Flight Pilot.
In December 1980, he was assigned to the 434th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, Holloman AFB, New Mexico, as Instructor Pilot in the Tactical Air Command Fighter Lead-In Training course. During this assignment he served as chief of squadron standardization and executive officer to the Deputy Commander for Operations.
After transition training in the 307th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron at Homestead AFB, Florida, he was assigned to the 497th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Taegu Air Base, Republic of Korea, in July 1984. During this period he served as an F-4E aircraft commander and as the executive officer for the 51st Tactical Fighter Wing, Deputy Commander for Taegu.
In August 1985 he was assigned to Moody Air Force Base. During the wing transition to the F-16, he was assigned to the 68th, 70th, and 69th Tactical Fighter Squadrons, serving as chief of squadron training and chief, wing flying training. In March 1988 he was assigned to the staff of the Commander, United States Air Forces in Europe, Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Programs, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. At HQ USAFE, he was Chief of the War Planning Division, and served as Deputy Battle Staff Director for USAFE in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM.
In March 1991, he was assigned to the War and Contingency Plans Division at Twelfth Air Force and US Southern Air Forces, Bergstrom AFB, Texas. In November, 1993, Lt Colonel Nishimuta retired with 20 years active duty.
His professional military education includes Squadron Officer's School, Air Command and Staff College, and Air War College. Lt Colonel Nishimuta holds a Master of Science degree from Vanderbilt University in Human Development Counseling. His decorations include the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, Commendation Medal, Achievement Medal, and Combat Readiness medal.
He has accumulated 2500 hours as pilot in the F-4D, F-4E, F-111A, F-111E, and AT-38B aircraft.