a black op is just an operation that does not get aknowledged. So, you remember awhile back the CIA killed those four guys by hitting their vehicle with a missile launched from a Predator drone--that would have fallen under the umbrella. So BlackOps are very routine and frewuently are only distinguished from white ops by those conducting them. In Afg white units were frequently doing the same missions as black units, in one case you could say who did it--in another you couldn't--I have alwasy thought about 90% of it was silly. Oh, there are thousands of people involved on the black side
Yes I have though not routinely
are SEALs ever assigned to do bodyguard duty for VIPs? Yes--it is the bane of our existence and an atrocious waste of talent and manpower--and will eventually get a few multimillion dollar assets killed for nothing
and finally, when would a SEAL not work as part of a team? SEALs frequently work outside the team. We have a lot of liaison officers and assignements with other units..also, it is common to put together a group for a specific mission or purpose and that can be a mixed bag
assigned to go on solo undercover missions? No