The paper presents research findings focusing on issues related to the threat to the state air, including critical infrastructure and civilian population in times of peace, crisis and war. In the first part of the article, the content of the article focuses on the essential legal and organizational aspects that determine the functioning of the air defense system as an essential element of the state in the fight against military and civil aircraft in times of peace, crisis and war. In the second part the article presents the essential aspects of aviation terrorism and the general features of forces that are particularly predisposed to combat various types of air threats. An important issue examined in the paper was to emphasize the importance of proper cooperation between the elements of the armed forces and non-military institutions, which is essential to ensure the effective protection and protection of the airspace of the state. The article also describes the conditions for using air forces to protect the airspace of other NATO countries within the framework of Poland’s allied commitments under Smart Defense.