NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL TAKES ITS LAST PATROL ON THE ALASKAN FRONTIER IN THE FINAL SEASON OF LONG-RUNNING HIT SERIES "ALASKA STATE TROOPERS"

Season Eight of Alaska State Troopers Premieres Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 9 PM ET/PT on the National Geographic Channel

(WASHINGTON, D.C. - January 7, 2014) For seven seasons, National Geographic Channel has embedded with the brave men and women of the Alaska State Troopers as they face treacherous rescue missions in below-freezing temperatures, high-speed pursuits on snowy stretches of highway, unexpected bear encounters and confrontations with unpredictable criminals. Now buckle up for one last ride-along as the eighth and final season of Alaska State Troopers premieres Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on National Geographic Channel. For more information, visit natgeotv.com/Alaska or follow us on Twitter at @NGC_PR.

The final season of Alaska State Troopers is dedicated to the memories of Troopers Tage Toll and Gabe Rich, Sgt. Scott Johnson and Trooper Pilot Mel Nading. Toll and Nading were killed in action in March 2013 during a Helo-1 search and rescue mission to save an injured snowmachiner. Rich and Johnson were killed in the line of duty while responding to a call in a remote Alaskan village on May 1, 2014. All four of these brave men were profiled in the series, and are dearly missed.

Over nearly 100 episodes, National Geographic Channel has embedded with the heroic officers of the Alaska State Troopers as they put their lives on the line patrolling hundreds of miles of rugged terrain in bone-chilling temperatures. No day is ordinary and no call is routine for the Troopers charged with keeping Alaskans safe from the unexpected danger and drama of one of the most extreme states in the nation.

In the final season, the intensity is higher than ever as Troopers respond by land, air and sea - with backup sometimes days away - to protect the people and wildlife of Alaska. Whether it's rescuing a hiker with two broken legs from a mountaintop, scouring frozen backcountry roads for a wanted and armed man, or keeping bystanders safe at the world-famous Iditarod Sled Dog Race - the Troopers are prepared for anything and everything that comes their way.

Season Eight Premiere Episodes Include:

Alaska State Troopers: Home Invasion Manhunt Premieres Wednesday, Feb. 11, 9 p.m. ET/PT It's mid-March and the frigid Alaskan temperatures mean that many people stay inside. The Troopers are investigating a case of illegal fur trappers in the Denali wilderness when they come across a hunter using unlawful bait, a violation that can result in loss of license and hefty fines. Meanwhile, a fire fully engulfs a house in a residential neighborhood; the residence is clear of people but ammunition inside the house presents an added danger. Troopers investigate a possible home invasion but are unable to track down any perpetrators. Then, a routine traffic stop turns into a drug bust when an officer finds a massive marijuana stash inside the vehicle.

Alaska State Troopers: Hairy Threat Premieres Wednesday, Feb. 18, 9 p.m. ET/PT Routine calls can often turn life-threatening in an instant, which is why Alaska State Troopers know to always have their guard up. Embed with officers as they handle a felony stop on the icy streets of Fairbanks, save an innocent pooch from the wrath of Alaskan wildlife, and patrol the dangerously thin icy waters of the Mat-Su Valley's most popular ice-fishing lakes. Up north, Troopers are on the hunt for a dangerous wild lynx that is wreaking havoc on the community's pets - and it might turn on the neighborhood kids next.

Alaska State Troopers: 2-For-1 Takedown Premieres Wednesday, Feb. 25, 9 p.m. ET/PT After a long winter, Alaskans greet the emerging spring full throttle and for the most competitive among them, spring means one thing: the world-famous Iditarod Sled Dog Race. The Alaska State Troopers are on hand to start the race off safely. Meanwhile, Troopers respond to a woman scorched by the out-of-control flames of a bonfire, but they have a hard time getting the full story out of her. Elsewhere they're on the hunt for a wanted and armed man through the frozen backcountry roads of Fairbanks, and Troopers also get a call from a well-known dogsledding family whose sleds have been burgled. Alaska State Troopers: Contraband and Kitchen Knives

Premieres Wednesday, March 4, 9 p.m. ET/PT Alaska State Troopers have to be willing to roll with the punches - there's no such thing as an ordinary day on patrol. In this episode, join Troopers as they rescue a fallen hiker, keep the streets safe from life-threatening drunk drivers and track down a wanted man. Later, follow the latest class of recruits at the Alaska Public Safety Training Academy as they work to master the precision maneuver driving course.

Alaska State Troopers: NYPD to AST Premieres Wednesday, March 11, 9 p.m. ET/PT Alaska is the largest state in the U.S., which means Troopers have their work cut out for them when it comes to hunting down criminals on the loose. In the Mat-Su Valley, Troopers and K9s are tracking down a couple of thieves through the snowy backwoods. Meanwhile, a blaring horn has everyone perplexed - it's difficult to track the source of the noise and it could be a desperate call for help, so the Troopers split up to cover more ground. In Fairbanks, Troopers are also on the hunt, but this time for an armed and aggressive home intruder.

Alaska State Troopers is produced by PSG Films for the National Geographic Channel. For PSG Films, series producers are Anna Rodzinski, Brian Jones and Michal Pietrzyk. For the National Geographic Channel, executive producer is Michael Welsh, vice president of production and development is Kevin Tao Mohs, and president of original programming & production is Tim Pastore.

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