Web chat is available to most soldiers in Afghanistan. I did web chats from Iraq quite frequently when I was there in 2006. I work with an Army major who had web chats with his wife twice a day for the entire time he was in Afghanistan (2011 to 2012). However, some remote outposts don't have internet access. For those few individuals, web chats and even e-mail are not possible.
If you've been talking with someone who claims to be a soldier in Afghanistan, there are two sure fire methods to determine if he's a real soldier. First, ask him for his physical address. Tell him you want to send him some home baked cookies or a greeting card. A real soldier wouldn't turn down an offer like that. His physical address will end with APO, NY and a zip code if he's really in Afghanistan (or any overseas location). Second, ask him for his AKO e-mail address. This is his official Army e-mail address. The Army encourages deployed soldiers to use their AKO accounts to communicate with friends and family, so there's no problem for a real soldier to give you the address. Official Army e-mail addresses end with .mil (example: john.doe@us.army.mil).
A SCAMMER will make excuses for why he can't do these two things that I've suggested. A real soldier will quickly agree.
Hi, I'm helping a friend that we're really worried about. This gentleman has a email address "@us.army.mil"
But also says he's unable to Skype, but has sent pictures.
He's also asked for money for a flight because it's to visit her instead of going back to his home country...
We're worried because the email address makes it sound plausible, but the rest of it is very fishy!
Thanks in advance!