If only they weren't training their homeboys back in the states, selling the armies body armor, nightvision goggles, and other weapons, they could actually be vitale in the Iraqi situation. Takes thugs to fight thugs. If I was president. This war in iraq would be over with. This could possible Lower the american crime rate if most these gangstas die. Yet at the sametime be helpful by fighting the Islamic insurgency. And the media probably wouldn't follow a 3,000 dead gang members story in iraq because their criminals. The only tricky part would be making sure these gangstas don't kill anyone who's not firing shots at them. If only MK-ultra would've been a successful program. Two birds with one stone scenario. Of course that's not the reality just in theory.
I saw one picture a while back, With a dude throwning up gang signs.
http://www.nysun.com/article/29230
^ more on the subject.