Seven-year-old Aaron White got a lift up from a sailor Wednesday so that he could see the view from a U.S. Navy ship. Aaron, his friend Elizabeth Clifton and his mother Tammy White of Vidalia, La., were among many local residents and tourists who toured the U.S. Navy’s USS Black Hawk, which is docked at Natchez Under-the-Hill through Saturday morning.

But the binoculars — through which Aaron got a good look at John Martin’s restaurant — weren’t the redhead’s favorite part of the ship.

&uot;I liked the inside,&uot; he said, &uot;the part where they had the red phones.&uot;

The Black Hawk is on a public relations tour of the Mississippi River this week. The trip gives sailors a chance to meet people in the community — particularly potential Navy recruits.

&uot;Partially it’s recruiting,&uot; said ship’s Commander Brad Smith. &uot;But it’s also part of a community outreach program. It’s important for places that don’t normally see us to see what we’re doing. These are the people who are paying for all of this technology.&uot;

While the ship is in town, sailors will be taking part in several community service projects. This morning, they will help spruce up downtown for the Natchez Downtown Development Association’s Clean N’ Green project. This afternoon, they will spend time at the Natchez Children’s Home, performing a variety of tasks and eating dinner with the residents. They will also discuss water safety with youth at Duncan Park pool this afternoon.

Homeported in Engleside, Texas, the Black Hawk, a mine hunter, has been at sea since March, Smith said.

The ship will be open for free public tours today and Friday from 1 to 5 p.m. While the ship is in town, sailors will also attend nightly performances of Natchez&160;Little Theater’s &uot;South Pacific.&uot; Also, the Navy band Big Easy will perform twice at Memorial Park Friday — at noon and 3:30 p.m.