Gen. Walter Natynczyk said Wednesday it felt like a 'body blow' when he found out that Col. Russell Williams was facing two first-degree murder charges. (CBC)

Murder and sexual assault charges against the former commander of CFB Trenton have sparked worries of an anti-military backlash in the area.

Col. Russell Williams is charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of two eastern Ontario women. He is also charged in two sexual assaults on two other women.

Callers to a radio show in Belleville said Wednesday that someone spat on a soldier from CFB Trenton, and another soldier was roughed up.

Some troops raised their concerns with the country's top soldier, Gen. Walter Natynczyk, on Wednesday when he came to the base, going so far as to ask if they should avoid wearing their uniforms in public.

"And I told all those airmen I'm going to Tim Hortons with my uniform. And sure enough, someone from Trenton came up and said I put this into perspective. 'You guys are great,' [they said]. And I just said thanks," said Natynczyk.

Natynczyk, who was accompanied on the base by three area mayors, brushed off claims of tension between the community and the military.

"That would be unfortunate if that is happening," he said. "But I can tell you from the people I've spoken to and the calls I've got, it's been nothing but support. So that's the message we'll continue to give. "

An autopsy was performed Wednesday on the body of Jessica Lloyd, one of the women Col. Russell Williams is accused of murdering. The cause of death is not being released.