As we enter an era of rapid growth in satellite observing capabilities, there are new challenges in developing the right tools to assure that these observations are well understood. We report on key ground-based and airborne capabilities being prepared to validate the new high spectral resolution IR sounding observations planned for the near future, including those from the AIRS on the EOS Aqua platform, the CrIS for NPOESS, and the GIFTS/ABS for New Millennium and future geosynchronous operations. Validation includes assessment of observed radiances, forward radiative transfer models, as well as atmospheric products.