Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) has dropped his holds on a large block of President Barack Obama’s nominees but is still holding up consideration of three nominations until the Air Force moves forward with plans for a new fleet of refueling tanker airplanes.

“The purpose of placing numerous holds was to get the White House’s attention on two issues that are critical to our national security – the Air Force’s aerial refueling tanker acquisition and the FBI’s Terrorist Device Analytical Center (TEDAC),” a release from Shelby’s office states. “With that accomplished, Sen. Shelby has decided to release his holds on all but a few nominees directly related to the Air Force tanker acquisition until the new Request for Proposal is issued.”

Shelby still has holds on three nominees, however: Terry Yonkers, nominated to serve as assistant secretary of the Air Force; Frank Kendall, nominated to serve as principal deputy undersecretary of Defense for acquisition, technology and logistics; and Erin Conaton, nominated to serve as undersecretary of the Air Force.