Saying it is his mission to support Colorado’s military installations, the personnel stationed here, their families “and the communities that provide homes for those families,” U.S. Sen. Mark Udall came to Colorado Springs on Wednesday to meet with a newly formed military advisory committee dominated by residents of the Pikes Peak region.

Among the more prominent local names on the list: Terrance McWilliams, retired command sergeant major at Fort Carson; Tony Koren, retired colonel and chief of staff at Fort Carson; Bill Hybl, chairman of El Pomar Foundation; and Pam Shockley-Zalabak, chancellor of UCCS.

Much of the group’s first meeting, Udall said, was devoted to the psychological impact of combat. Soaring rates of post-traumatic stress disorder are being reported among those returning from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, and homicides have been committed by, or attributed to, combat veterans based at Fort Carson. Udall said he would seek ways to provide more mental-health services to combat troops.

The most politically sensitive military issue hereabouts is the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, a Fort Carson training area northeast of Trinidad. The Army wants to expand it, but a new state law forbids the sale or lease of state lands for the expansion. Some in Colorado Springs regard this as a slap at the Defense Department that could lead it to reconsider its commitment to Fort Carson and the other military installations in the area.

But Udall said Pinon Canyon did not come up during Wednesday’s meeting. “I’m committed to working in every way possible in ensuring that we have the training capacity that’s necessary,” he said. “Whether that means an expansion of Pinon Canyon or not is still in the balance.”

He also said he continues to support the U.S. buildup in Afghanistan and expressed confidence in Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the new American commander there.

Later Wednesday, Udall toured Schriever Air Force Base.

Udall’s visit to the Springs, which continues today with a meeting with the Fort Carson commander, Maj. Gen. David Perkins, is  his second since he became a U.S. senator in January. Both visits have been focused on military affairs. He visited Peterson Air Force Base in April.

Though Udall’s legislative career is long on environmental issues, he also was a member of the House Armed Services Committee and now serves on its Senate counterpart.

Utah’s David Reed (16) helped the Utes defeat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl last season to cap an unbeaten season. Air Force visits Utah on Oct. 24. Photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS