Sharifirad was one of the most successful Iranian F-5 pilots during the Iran–Iraq War. He had 5 victories against the Iraqi fighter aircraft (3 confirmed victories and 2 probable victories). The victories include: one Su-22 and four MiG-21s. After that he attacked an Iraqi power station, 3 Iraqi fighters attacked him. The Iraqi fighters shot his airplane down. He ejected and Iraqi Kurdish guerrillas took him back to Iran. A movie called "The Eagles" was made about this event.