Worried about a friend

My Friend has been messaging with a man who is from Alabama, but is stationed in Africa. They have been messaging through messenger about 6 months. He has never asked her for money, and has even offered to help her. He has said that he is retiring and was supposed to be flying home the weekend after Thanksgiving. He has not come home yet. He keeps saying that they are waiting until the flight comes in with the replacement troops and they are supposed to be packed and ready to go whenever the plane arrives. They have not been given an exact time because of active shooters. Does the military give them exact times for going home or is it as he states that they are to be packed and ready to go within 3 hours of when the plane lands?

Your friend is in contact with a West African scammer.

Romance scammers will take their time before asking for money, gifts, pre-paid cards and etc.

If he sends her money or gifts it will be actually from another victim.

The military is better organized than what he is describing.