Satellite remote sensing is a central theme of the First ISCCP Radiation Experiment (FIRE) and Cirrus Regional Study of Tropical Anvils and Cirrus Layers - Florida Area Cirrus Experiment (CRYSTAL-FACE) programs. The CRYSTAL-FACE field campaign provides opportunities to develop and test new satellite retrieval schemes. We investigate means of improving satellite retrievals of cirrus cloud particle size and optical thickness by combining MODIS and cloud radar measurements during CRYSTAL-FACE. We focus our investigation on the MODIS overpasses of the Western ground site located near Everglades City, Florida. To retrieve cirrus properties, we combine cloud radar derived cloud height and Ice Water Content profiles with cirrus microphysical models in a radiative transfer model and minimize the difference between the observed MODIS radiances to the modeled radiances. Several cirrus microphysical models are used including those described by Baum et al, 2000 and Nasiri et al, 2002, as well as models based on in situ measurements during CEPEX and cloud radar derived models during CRYSTAL-FACE.